HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-08056OR1)TNANCE NO:, O
AN. ObiNANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE. NO 667i,
THE COMPREHENS!VE.2ONINO ORDINANCE EDR
THE CITY CP MUM,' EY CHANdfNO' THE ZONING
CL►SSIFICATION-POR'TENTATYVE PLAT 0817 ...
"PLAZA VENETIk .'DRACT = '"A" AND TRACT "B" i
FROM C-1. (LOCAL COMMERCIAL) ?O C�3 ICENTRAL
COMMERCIAL) bISTRICT, ' LOCATED AT 'THE AREA
BOUNDED -BY N.E. 17TH TERRACE ON THE NORTH,
N.E. 1STE=STREET,ON'-THE SOUTH, BXSCAYNE
BOULEVARD. ON:THE WEST, AND N.E.BAYSHORE
DRIVE ON THE.. EAST', LESS , PACPERTYANOWN 'AS.
1720N. E. BP.YSHORE DPIV'E, ALL ' KNOWN - AS
TRACT "A" OF :'PLAZA VENETIA" ', AND AREA
BOUNDEDION THE:NORTH BY THE-WOMEN'S CLUB,
ON THE WEST.BY. N.E. BAYSHOREDRIVE, OW;THE
SOUTH' BY- N.E,;16TH STREET,AND,0N..THE EAST
BY BISCAYNE BAY, ALL KNOWN:AS,=.TRACT "B" OF
"PLAZA'V'ENETIA"; AND BY MAKING THE NECESSARY
CHANGES -IN THEZONING DISTRICT:MAP,MADE A.
PART.OF SAID ORDINANCE N0. 6$71 BY REFERENCE
AND,DESCRIPTXON IN ARTICLE -III, SECTION 2,
THEREOF; ,REPEALING ALL LAWS IN CONFLICT
HEREWITH;' AND:PROVIDING'FORA SEVERABILITY;
CLAUSE HEREIN. -
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Board of the
City of Miami, at its meeting held on March 27, 1972, passed
and adoptedby a 5 to 4 vote its Resolution No. 72-75,
recommending granting a change in the zoning classification,
as hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS
, it is deemed advisable in the best interest
of the general welfare of the City
of Miami. and its inhabitants
to grant a change in zoning classification, as hereinafter set
forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA;
Section 1 That Ordinance No. 6871, the Comprehen-
sive Zoning Ordinance for the Catty of Miami, bo and the same i
hereby amended by changing the zoning c1a ft.ci►x ; ors for
TENTATIVE PLAT # 517 ."P ,A2A % METM ►" , TRACT "A and TEAT
"S", from C-1 (Local Commercial) to C-2 (Central 'Commercial)
District, located at the area bounded by N.E. 17th Terrace on
the North, N.E. l5th Street en the South, BiSettyfte Boulevard
on the West, and N.E. Bayshore Drive on the East, less prop-
erty known as 1720 N4 E. Eayshore Drive, all known as TRACT "A"
of "PLAZA V'ENETIA" , and area bounded on the North by the Women' s
Club, on the West by N. E. Bayshore Drive, on the South by N.E.
16th Street, and on the East by Biscayne Bay, all known as TRACT
"B" of "PLAZA VENETIA"1 designated TENTATIVE PLAT 1817;
and by making the necessary changes in the zoning district
mapm areference and
made part of said Ordinance No. 6871 by
description in Article 111, Section 2, thereof.
Section 2. That all laws, or parts of laws, in
conflict herewith, be and the same are hereby repealed insofar
as they are in conflict.
Section 3. It is declared to be the legislative
intent of this body that if any section, subsection, sentence,
phrase or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid, the
remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected.
PASSED on first reading by title only this 20th
day of April , 1972.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on second and final reading
by title only this 4thday of``MaY , 1972.
MAYOR
ATTEST: '
N.D. SOUTHERN
CITY CLERK
DAVID T. KENNEDY
Clerk of the . Otty of Itissier tlosiaa►II
• ereby "certify that' an the / dayat 1
1
. D. 19 / Z: • fall. true an colle
ct so,, of tM4t.
ve and foregoing ordinaaoe Waa poBted'at the Sout$'
• of the Dade County Court Douce at the p1aod
:.�.ided for Saticoy sad publications bq attaching
said 0447 to the, place provided therefor.
wiT�l� my band sal ttihe official seal of sail
ajt, thin Iv of Vrt......a• 11 _
"*41
ffC�Bk
LEOAL
� H
rlv. �V� iC
A11 interested Will take notice that On the 4th day of
Iay,I972 the Catrr►issibn of the City b Nlami,F1orida adopted
an ordinance entitled
AN ORDINANCE. AMENDING. ORDINANCE NO.6871, THE COM-
PREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI,
3Y , CI-IANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FOR: TENTATIV .
PLAT 4817�"PLAZA VENETI:A",,TR:CT ':A" AND TRACT ''3"
FROM C-1 (LOCAL COMMERCIAL), TO C-3 (CENTRAL COMMERCIAL)
DISTRICT, LOCATED AT THE AREA BOUNDED BY NE 17TH
TERRACE ON THE NORTH:, NE 15TH STREET ON THE .SOUTH,
BISCAYNE BOULEVARD ON THE WEST AND NE BAYSHORE DRIVE
ON THE EAST LESS PROP:.RTY ' KNO N AS 1720 NE 3AYSHORE
DRIVE, ALL KNOWN AS TRACT "A" OF "PLAZA VENETIA" AND.
AREA BOUNDED ON THE NORTH 3Y ' THE WOMEN' S CLUB, ON. THE
WEST BY NE 3AYSH0 E DRIVE ON THE SOUTH BY NE 16TH
STREET,AND ON THE EAST BY BISCAYNE BAY, ALL KNOWN AS
TRACT 3" OF "PLAZA VENETIA", AND BY :MAKING THE NECES
- SARY CHANGES IN THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP MADE A ,PART
OF SAID: ORDINANCE . NO.6871 3Y REFERENCE AND DESCRIPTION
IN ARTICLE III, SECTION 2 THEREOF, REPEALING ALL LAWS
IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, AND PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE HEREIN
which is designated Ordinance No. 8056.
H D SOUTHERN
CITY CLERK
CITY OF MIAiiI,FLORIDA
MIAMI NEVICW
AROEfM,RECORD
PightithM Daily triter t t riay% 5f11t'&dtp
Lei'& tiotthyt
Ali tits 1)&16 tophey, neredia,
OM O FLDriIDA
t eliNfit '6F bAbb
baton 'tI'a tfnttePAlifffed authl Ptt9 henatati
blared MARRA brebhie" Who Oft beth tyyt thatthe
IA ..the °flies Monism of the MiAnii RAVI W ant!
Daily Record, A BAily (inept SAtUtddy, SufitlAyi and
Legal Halidey3) , heWAbafteP Dubllshed et MIAMI - hi
Dade Coufity, FloIldt; that tke att6thed '8015Y "bf 15dvePP -
ara IR
the Meatte'bet Adoption of:rR Ordinance No, • 8036
Net Change of Zoning ,, Tetttatiive Plat
mot
#917 - its VANETTAtt) et!cseeei66 6 is.
In the Court:
- Was published in slid newspaper in the issues of
9, 19/2
Affieht,'further 'seyl that the 'rsald Mtarilt Review
end Dailyy Record Is a newspaper published et MIArni,.
in said Dade County, Florida, and that the said hews•
paper hat heretofore_ been continuously published to
said Dade County, -Florida, each.day (except Saturday,
Sunday and Legal Holidays) and has been entered:as
Motorail blast mail matter at the post office in Miami,
In said Dade County, Florida, for a period of one year
next preceding- the first publIcation of the attached
copy of- advertisement; and affiant further says that
• she has neither paid nor, promised any person, firm
or corporation any discount,- rebate, commission • er-
retund for the purpose of securing this advertisement
for publication In the said newspaper.
1,: .T t' , y'.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
.9'...... d `"' of ' , A.D. 19 72
t ram,•
uth Clatter,
Notary Pu State of Florida at Large.
(SEAL)
My Commission expires May 16, 1973.
1�fitiftI. I- a: "id
tAN Att
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. !:!Ptititt10.1 1,1MINANCE VOA
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. t161R . C•i' t CAL "totti
rtbt3C!AL):'I�o _C- 'it .
TRALv CO MEfICIAL . btS-
'1`ttfCT; LOCA?tib-AP 'Mt..
AttI A t#OtJtftbEti, „tit." lyt t
iTtt tttttIACEb+1_ rt�'ttP'
NOtt't'It,: iktit to`I`ii .STitErr
ON `lit:: SOUTtt, #f5
CANNA„ , it tlLEVARb oW
't tth Wt;ST" ANts. -NE t# W-
S1tOt1I" )J1t1VI; ON ~Rtfik
EAST' . ,•I tai;Slt'' tiAtitIttliter
tkIstOttlN ' AS 1i2O -N "t kr,
Sttott bRtVE ALL'.
KNOW#:AS TRACT "A" or
,PLAZA : V NETIA":'. AND
AREA .13Ot)Nn5b oN 41iE
NORTit11V:titE'WOMI S
CLUB, ON 'nit V ST
tiAT'Sttotit bt#1VE; ON:
„Tat SbtYrfl Bl' Ni 1g'Ct#
STREET, AND .ON TIIE
tAST t3y 13tSCAVNS $Al
ALL kNoWN - AS TRACT
"II" or` "PLAZA ttN):-
TIA", AND t31, ttAltING
Y it E NECESSAtt
CIIAt\`GES IN `tilt ZONi 4i
DISTRICT:. MAP •MAbS A
PART .OF' SAID ORbI=
NANCE NO.; 6871.'I3•E•-'ttF]-
FE11ENCE ANb DESCRiP-
TION 1N ARTICLE
SECTION 2 TIiEREOF; RE -:I
PEALINGALL LAWS IN1
-CONFLICT; itEREwITti f
AND PROVIDING FOR A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE I
I3EREIN,
which is- designated Ordinance
No. 5056 •
it D SOUTHERN
CITY CLERIC -
CITY OF :MIAMI, •
FLORIDA
Publication of ON notice on
the 9th day of May, 1972.
Ad. No. 50331
4
'12 APRitts/fly
:4/iOf
ORD/NANCE NO,
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO, 6871,
THt COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE POR
THt CITY OP MIAMI, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIPICATION VOA TENTATIVE PLAT #817
"PLAZA VENETIA", TRACT "A" AND TRACT "8"
PROM C-1 (LOCAL COMMERCIAL) TO C-8 (CENT;1AL
COMMERCIAL) DISTRICT, LOCATED AT THE AREA
BOUNDED BY Not. 17TH TERRACE ON THE NORTH,
N.E. 15TH STAEET ON THE SOUTH, BISCAYNE
BOULEVARD ON THE WEST, AND N.E. BAYSHOPE
DRIVE ON THE EAST, LESS PROPERTY KNOWN AS
1720 N.E. BAYSHOAE DRIVE, ALL KNOWN AS
TRACT "A" OV "PLAZA VENETIA", AND AREA
SOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY THE WOMEN'S CLUB,
ON THE WEST BY N.E. BAYSHORE DRIVE, ON THE
SOUTH BY N.E. 16TH STREET, AND ON THE EAST
BY BISCAYNE BAY # ALL MOWN AS TRACT "B" OF
"PLAZA VENETIA"; AND BY MAKING THE NECESSARY
CHANGES IN THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP MADE A
PART OF SAID ORDINANCE NO. 6871 BY REFERENCE
AND DESCRIPTION INARTICLEIII, SECTION 21
THEREOF; REPEALING ALL LAWS IN CONFLICT
HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE HEREIN.
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Board of the
City of Miami, at its meeting held on March 27, 1972, passed
and adopted by a 5 to 4 vote its Resolution No. 72-75,
recommending granting a change in the zoning classification,
as hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed advisable in the best interest
of the general welfare of the City of Miami and its inhabitants
to grant a change in zoning classification, as hereinafter set
forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA;
4 Section 1, That Ordinance No, 6871, the Comprehen-
sive zoning ordinance for the City of Miami, be and the same is
hereby amended by changing the zoning classification for
APR 2 0 191r,,
TENTATIVE PLAT #8i7 "PIMA 'VENETIA" ► TRACT "A" and TRACT
"Bi1 , from C-1 (Local Commercial) to C-1 (Central Commercial)
District, located at the area bounded by N.E. 17thTerrace bn
the North, N.E. 15th Street on the South, Biscayne toulevard
oft
the West, and N.E. Bayshore Drive on the tast, less prop-
erty known as 1720 N. t. Bayshore Drives all known at TtACT "A"
of "PLAZA.VENETIA", and area bounded on the North by the Women's
club, on the West by N. E= Bayshore Drive, on the South by N.E.
16th Street, and on the East by Biscayne Bay, all known as nACT
"B" of "PLAZAVENETIA"; designated TENTATIVE PLAT #817;
and by making the necessary changes in the zoning district
tnap made a part of said Ordinance No. 6871 by reference and
description in Article, III,, Section 2, thereof.
Section 2. That all laws, or parts of laws, in
conflict herewith, be and the same are hereby repealed insofar
as they are in conflict.
Section 3. It is declared to be the legislative
intent of this body that if any section, subsection, sentence,
phrase or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid, the
remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected.
PASSED on first reading by title only thisc2 0
day of 97 1972.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on second and final reading
by title only this
day ofe52?)7elei
, 1972.
Pmmktb At mink -owl) $ f _
APP AS TO VOitN1AVID. CO 2RECTNtSS
Ai.an H. RcithStein, Czty.,Attorney
Y r M
): creb7 certif.; t.:-, .: ;;.. '.i. ...! .....�j..; _ =' f�
., 1 .,.,..lt, cop of the',
above and for . .' {:...:,- y.!n' • t...°s3 at the Soot$.
Door of the D`�r is -,•,- . .. 't t hel p16041
prodded for cot c b:,d r,... - . ..: ., attachiad
Said copy to the plat., c a •. ; • :..,,
iti. TfioKl: t•: tlind %.L:i " `'.'::;?.It: Sent' of nail"
-•-�
City this,,,, ��: dad of 1t/ Cr—, D. 19
Honorable City COmmigaion
Attention: Mr. M. L. Reese
City of Miami, Plorida
Gentlemen:
The Miami Planning Board, at its meeting of March 27, 1972, Item #3
(a), following an advertised Hearing, adopted Resolution No. 72-75 by
a 5 to 4 vote recommending Change of Zoning Classification of the
above described - Tentative Plat #817 - "PLAZA VENETIA", from C-1
(Local Commercial) to C-3 (Central Commercial).
Three objections were received in the mail.
An ORDINANCE to provide for this Change of Zoning has been prepared
by the City Attorney's office and submitted for consideration of the
City: Commission.
Ad: CBANdt I ,-ZONINd REOMMEND.ED4
Area bounded by N. E. 17th Terrace
on the north, Na E. 15th Street on
the south, Biscayne Boulevard:on
the west, and N: E. Bayshote Drive
on the east,' less property known as
1720 N. E. Bayshore DriVe, all
known as .Tract "A" of "PLAZA VE1 ETIA" ,
and area bounded on the north by the
Women'.s Club, on the west by N. E.
Bayshore Drive, on the south by N.
16th Street, and on the east by
Biscayne Bay, all known as Tract "}3"
of "PLAZA VENETIA"
Applicant: Florida East Coast Prop.
ncerel
j ��
David Simpson, Jr.
Executive Secretary
Miami Planning and Zoning Board
mm
Z. M. 23
Attached: Minutes
cc: .Law Department
-NOTE: Planning Department recommendation; "DENIAL'.
'72 APR tj
i@ ii f . T L
/14 8 : 24 )1_0_1U_cE
N TECR ;T0 OWNERS OP PROPERTY IN THE
VICINITY or DESCRIPTION LISTED mow
The Miami City Commission, at its Meeting of THURSDAY,
April 20, 1972, at 2 : 30 P. M. , in cITY_i ALL., 3.S,00_.Pa l
American_Dr_ Ve_a_Dinner NteV... Miam►i ..iiorida, will eonsider the
following
(a) 'Resolution : recommending Change Of .`Ching C].a95ifieat .of of
Tentative Plat , 017 - "PLAZA VENETIA" , located at the area
bounded by N. E. 17th Terrace on the north, N. E. ]Sth Street
on the south,. Biscayne Boulevard on the west, and N. E. Bayehore
Drive on the east, less property known as,.1720.N. E. Bayshore
p p y
Drive, all known as Tract "A" of PLAZA VENETIA, and area bounded
on the north by the Women's Club, an the west by N. E. Bayshore
Drive, on the south by N. E.16th Street, and on the east by
Biscayne Bay, all known as Tract "B'` of "PLAZA VENETIA°, from
C-1 (Local Commercial) to C-3 (Central Commercial)
AND
(b) Resolution recommending official vacation and closure of N. E.
16th and N. E. 17th Streets between Biscayne Boulevard and
N. E. Bayshore Drive, in accordance with Tentative Plat#817 -
"PLAZA VENETIA", subject to meeting all the platting require-
ments of the city of Miami.
AND
(c) Resolution recommending "Conditional Use" as listed in Ordinance
No. 6871, ARTICLE XV, Section 2(8) (d),'.to permit construction
of 810 unit apartment building on; Tentative, Plat #817 "PLAZA
VENETIA", Tract "B", located at the area bounded on the north'
by the Women's Club, on the west by N. E. Bayshore Drive, on
the south by N. E. 16th Street, and on the east by Biscayne Bay,
all known as Tract "B" of "PLAZA VENETIA", site zoned C-1
(Local Commercial), proposed to be rezoned'C-3 (Central Commer-
cial).
At its meeting of March 27,.1972, the Miami Planning Board
adopted Resolutions No. 72-75 by a 5 to 4.vote; No. 72-76 by
a 5 to 4 vote; and No.72-78 by a 5 to 4 vote recommending,
the . above.
IMPORTANT
The City commission requests that PETITIONER be present or.
express their views,
represented at this meeting,and all interested real estate
owners are invited to xp
MIAMI PLANNING BOARD
s nn �.. c1 i ( COt4tM t Q1
tA�;:F,7'NNG OF
APR '2 11972
crint!pm E {<birlr>xf.}eRxxe:e:trx}d�
j
AREA:,, S Dar ittit..-E.B..,.i1l"H 'E Of LI` MILLA ,...2.,agAH
'RH r— 14. ' E..S Ms Jl1SCAY14a-6'Ui, 1`A,Rri�,:O.tQlt_:.' ST -.:AND
N, . _,LRAVAHO t2j5.. 2lLO1_ THELEA R` LLE _: E.RTiJMO LA
172OO fit., J_ AAYS #8RE_, 1't ALt Milk.1.. _ , fifi�► T'','A° `
,! PLAZA vtatt1:A'!
and
ARE1A..1161I:HD D By...:.214ReJN014110 t21",14E_WOM ,' tit.8T
RtRN..Lt yLRAY. HOREJ t 1 E,r_.. Dt? 'HL_S.Otf1! I...MIL__E;. ;T1ti i.NLST12EET i
A.ND_ Ott p fiH4._EP,S ',.: I Y__8,1. e,AyNE...:. DAT,__.A1,L.,_ittif�
VNETIA"r..
'Pentative Plat 4817 --"PLAZA VENETIA", Tract "A" & Tract "A"
(a) Change.of Zoning Classification tin the above 'de%scribed pro-
perty froftt C-1 Modal Commercial) to C-3 (Central Commmercial) ;
and
N.,..E.___16TH AND N..tE.. 17TN STREETS. BETWEEN B1SCAYNE:ytOULEVARb
AND...N E. RAY'SfIORE DRIVE
(b) Petition for the official vaction and closure of the above
described streets, in accordance with Tentative Plat 4817 -
"PLAZA VENETIA";
(c)
and
TENTATIVE PLAT #817 "PLAZA VENETIA", TRACT "A" &. TRACT "B"
"Conditional Use"as listed in Ordinance No. 6871, ARTICLE
XV, Section 2 (8) (a), to permit parking garage on Tract "A"
with approximately 3,400 parking spaces, and parking garage
on Tract "B" with approximately 1,300 parking spaces, zoned
C-1 (Local Commercial), proposed to be rezoned C-3 (Central
Commercial)
and
TENTATIVE PLAT 4817 - "PLAZA VENETIA", TRACT "B"
(d) "Conditional Use" as listed in Ordinance No. 6871, ARTICLE
XV, Section 2 (8) (d), to permit construction of 1,000 unit
apartment building on above site, subject to variances under
concurrentpstition, site zoned C-1 (Local Commercial), pro-
posed to be rezoned C-3 (Central Commercial);
and
TENTATIVE' PLAT 4817 - "PLAZA VENETIA", TRACT "B".
(e) Variance from ordinance No. 6871, ARTICLE XV, Sections 2
(8) (d), 4, 2 (8) (d), 5, 2 (8) (d) 6, to permit construction;
of 1,000 unit apartment building on above site with 0' interior
(north) side yard setback (50' required), with rear (east)
setback of 0' (25' required) , with 39,000 sq. ft. of Usable
Open Space (90,000 sq. ft. required), but providing120,000
sq. ft. of recreation area at 30' elevation, "Conditional Use"
for Apartments on site under concurrent petition, zoned C-1
(Local Commercial), proposed to be rezoned C-3 (Central
Commercial).
Secretary filed proof of publication of Legal Notice of Hearing and
administered oath to all persons testifying at this hearing,
-11- /.a ah 27'4 1972 1tem #3.
i
„ ,NV t OLDEP R MEN ktOMMEN 1ATION:t to addition to the
following go�dments, the Plaza Venetia study dated February, 1972,
prepared by the Planning Department, contains recommendations for
proper coning in the Plaza` Venetia development,
(a) "DENIAL": The primary purpose of .. comprehensive zoning is to
protect others, and the general public, from uses of proms
party that will, if permitted, prove injurious to them,
Since all of the proposed uaea in the Plaza Venetia project
are allowed under the Cyl zoning, the primary purpose of
zoning in the subject area, would be destroyed by rezoning
the subject property to;a C-3 classification. purthertnore,
since epos zoning is defined as a use classification on a
parcel of land wholly inconsistent with the classification
of surrounding land and the comprehensive zoning plan for
the benefit of the owner, rezoning to the C-3 classification
in this area would constitute the largest example of ,"spot'
zoning" . in the City of Miami
To protect the public interest, a project of the magni-
tude of Plaza Venetia should be controlled through an
appropriate zoning classification, and C-3 zoning if
granted, would deny the City the right to protect the
general welfare of its public.
The main use of the subject area is primarily retail,
commercial, and office development. The zoning classifi-
cations existing in the area are primarily C-1, with a
C-4 zoning classification existing south of the subject
area and west of the Biscayne Boulevard frontage. The
existing C-1 zoning classification reflects the type of
land use that has developed in the area and is appropriate
as indicated by the new development that has occurredin
the immediate area.
The C-3 zoning classification was specifically designed for
the core of the Central Business District,, and although the
subject property is within the jurisdictional limits of the
Downtown Development Authority, C-3 zoning should not be
applied north of its existing limits.
The petitioned C-3 zoning for the subject area would not be.
in character or in harmony with the intensity of development
presently existing in this area or envisioned for this area
in the, future. This limitation as to the intensity ofde-
velopment for the subject area has been generally set forth
in the:Doxiadis Plan for Downtown Miami, and is considerably
less that what would be permitted by the. petitioned C-3
zoning district. The subject area does serve in part, as, a
regional retail center, but there is no need for the inten-
sity of development that would be permitted by the petitioned
C-3 zoning.
The alternate zoning solution, as reflected by the Depart-
ment's Plaza Venetia Study and current proposals before the
Planning', and Zoning Board, is a "Planned Development" regu-
lation that could be applied to the C,-1: zoning district, As
set forth in the planned development regulations, more in-
tensity than is permitted by a particular zoning district
could be allowed provided that the development is analyzed
and concluded to be in the interest of the general public
and based on officially adopted development plans,
(b) "APPROVAL" SUBJEOT TO THE CONDITIONS ` SET FORTH BY THE PLAT
ANb STREET C8MMtTT :E Aim THE COM$1Tit MS SET FORTH MERRIt .
Mere is no objectiOn tee the ciaaure of the subleet streets,
but the land area that will be given to the petitioner
through rights -of -way, amounts to approximately 1.2 aerea
of public land. These atrees have nerved as landscaped
open spacesin the subject area for the use of the general
public. Consequently any street closure should be con-
ditioned upon the applicant's providing an equal amount
of public landscaped open space.
"DEPE ;iRAl." There is not sufficient informat x t available
at the present time concerning the impact upon the traffic
circulation and traffic patterns of the proposed development
to approve this part of the application. the are not
opposed to off --street parking being provided, but the
amount of off-street parking must be correlated with the
results of a traffic study. The results of the traffic
study should be available within the near future.
(c)
"bttIAL": As the petitioned C-3 zoning district hasnot been
recommended, conditional use approval for apartment develop-
ment under the c-3 classification is not appropriate. The
existing C-1 zoning classification applied to the subject
property would accommodate residential development of approxi-
mately 72 dwelling units per acre. The processing of the
proposed development under the recommended planned develop-
ment'regulations could accommodate a higher density than
presently permitted by the C-1 zoning district, and should
be limited to a maximum density of 100 dwelling units per
acre, which is recommended by the Department for the project.
the. proposed 1000 unit apartment 'would be very detrimental
to the surrounding area, and would place a largearea to
the north of the subject property in virtual perpetual shade,
thereby eliminating light and movement of. air. To allow this
intensity of development would defeat zoning's primary.pur-
pose of protecting others and the general publicfrom a
use that would be injurious to them.
(e) "DENIAL": No hardship exists in the size, shape or location
of the property which would indicate a need for the granting
of .the subject variances. The requested variances provide.
for little or no ground level amenities in the form of
setbacks or.open space, not only the.occupants Pants of the
project but for the general public. With a reduction of
the density proposed, it is felt that the necessary and
useable open spaces can be provided within the framework
of the existing C-1 zoning regulations and the "Planned
Development" regulations.
Rev. Wright: Before we begin, Mr. Watson, we would like to
acknowledge the presence of Mrs, Alice Wainw xight who was one of.
our former Commissioners,
The Vice Chairman has been excused for a few minutes, he'll.
be back, This is in my district and I'm going to as% Mr. Burns to
Lorne here beside me and help us with this item.
Mr. Burns; Would you please introduce yourself, Mr, Watson.
Marco 27,.1972 Item 40
Mr. Watson: Thank you Mr, Chairman. Members of the Planning
toard, my name is John W, ataisn, my address ra tOS Pan Atmsrioan tank
tu:lding. / represent 'Florida fast Coact Properties, Inc, and its
President, Mr.. Ted Rollo) who is with me this evening,
We are the applicant before you tonight seeking certain toning
ohanges to allow us to construct Plata Venetia. Before i go any further
I would like to, at this time, modify the application by withdrawing
all requests for Variances whatsoever. The net 'effect of this will be
to reduce the number of units in the proposed apartment building from
some ten thousand, from some a thousand and fifty down to eight hundred`.
and ten.
We will, if we are permitted to do so by this Board and by the
-
Ork
Miami City Commission,sion, live within the
neaofwwh�.ch�wethe
ha�tesetback
Womenn�nces,
This is done for a number of reasons, z�
Club nett to us and we feel that it would be in their best interest to
do this. And then also in the spirit of cooperation with certain
architects and With certain members of the Planning Staff. It is done
hopes that we canget this project through
and on
in the ough this Board
to the Miami City Commission here tonight. if we don't if we
get into a delay or a deferral it may be fatal for the project. So,
please let the record state that all requests for Variances whatsoever
are hereby withdrawn.
The property in question is bounded on Biscayne Boulevard on
the west, Biscayne Bay on the east, N. E. 15th Street to the south
and N. E. 17th Terrace on the north.
This is one of the greatest and one of the most ambitious
projects that I've ever had, the pleasure of being associated with.
And in order to secure the best design for this project, myclient
procured the services of Mr. Joseph Amisano of the firm of Toombs
Amisano, Wells, of Atlanta, Georgia to design the project.
Mr. Amisano, of national reputation, is an architect and a.
designer of large projects such as Plaza Venetia dictated that he
be the one to create Plaza Venetia for the City of Miami. Mr. Amisano's:
qualifications include some of the following: Mr. Amisano is a fellow
member of the American Institute of Architects, he's a member of the
American Institute of Architects Executive Committee Georgia Chapter
1963, the American Institute of Architects Georgia Chapter Vice Presi-
dent 1963,American Institute of Architects Design Committee Georgia
Chapter 1963, American Academy and Loan, American Institute of,Planners,
International Council of Shopping Centers, member of the University
of Shopping Centers in Chicago, member of, the faculty 1964. Mr. Amisano
and his firm's qualifications go on. and on and I would liketo at this
time and in the. interest of time, introduce into the record something
about Mr. Amisano, his firm and what they have designed all over this
Country and the World. So while I'm making my presentation the Board
can acquaint itself with Mr. Amisano's qualifications.
Rev, Wright All right.
Mr, Watson; What Plaza Venetia envisions is to extend the
core of downtown Miami, to a large amountof property involved in this,
application which is already in the jurisdictional limits of the
Downtown Development Authority, Mr, Rollo will tell you about this in
a few minutes As sooners Mr, Rollo has concluded, Mr, Amisano will
explain a project to you together with his concepts and attempt to
show this Board that not only would Plaza Venetia be a great thing
14- March 27., 1972
for the City of Miami but under the present GLi -toning ofc nanoea
development far more o ectionai than what ure ptopoge to do can be
done today without caking anybody'a permigsion.
When Mr. Amiaeno hay completed empiaining the proi+ect to yav
and his concepts, we wiii have a number of other speakers from all
walks of life that are vitally interested in the development of
Plata Venetia, and they believe, as 1 do, that it will be a great
thing for the City of Mimi and it will revitali2e the entire area.
NOW, ih the interest of time, we've gone through the thing,
I don't think anybody will be overly repetitious; but at this time
I would like to introduce you to my Client and friend and the
developer of p1a2a Venetia,. Mt. Ted Bono.
Mr. Hello: Thank you Mr. Watson. Honorable Board, my name
Tibor Hollo, 1605 fiscayne Boulevard.
Rev, Wright: All right, Mr. Hollo.
Mrs Hollo: Thank you Mr. Chairman. I thought of going
from the beginning to the end, but the beginning to the end is really
the metamorphosis of the entire growth of our City, Miami and the
further and later decay of the central core of Miami. Our City is
not really unique in this respect, most of our major cities through-
out the Nation have experienced the fantastic, decay in its business,
in its population and its revenue producing capacity. Some of our
big northern cities are facing, in fact, bankruptcy because the only
ones who are left within the core of the city are people on welfare.
The affluent population has moved out of the core of the city,
businesses follow suit, or vice versa.
Thus, Miami now is on the threshold of experiencing the same
fatal decay that set into most of our major cities on the north. If
it wasn't for the great influx of our southern neighbors, the Cuban
population, I; would say that I wouldn't be able to stand here at this
time and asking you for permission to save our City. Because years ago.
the decay would have been already fatal to us. Thanks to them that.
we are here today.
I wish to somewhat elaborate on this natural tendencycurrently
in our Country. I am not quite sure that everybody here is aware of
the fact that over one million acres, of land is urbanized in. these
United States annually. Can you just imagine, can you imagine the
zevery year
city; of Chicago 'being urbanized in the cities. arehabig
•Such
territory taken away from fertile good land ,because peoplesprawling
off into suburbia. Big shopping centers moving off with the people.
Huge developments taking place in areas that should be good fertile
rural land. Thus our people, not only in Florida but throughout the
world, are looking now for different dimensions.
well, the different dimension available to us is up or down.
unfortunately in the case of .South Florida the sea elevation is only
I five feet, we only can go up. Thus, it has to be the encouragement
of good planning to go up, otherwise we are strangling ourselves with
our sprawling cities.
This decay that l am tailing to you about is self evident
throughout our Downtown area, permeating not only our business community,
but the Church,' the Clergy, the financial institutions, laborgroups;
and you will find in the ensuing testimonies that you will be bearing
here, from the various segments of our population, who are very eon-
-anted for ;this project is be 'approved, who are rabto testify to this pro eotst
tell: you what they think of this and how they feel
and how they feed. about ,our City, the City of i iat3.. Should we let it
go to the dogs, so to ,say, or try to save it by its bootstrap,
This is ray tows and l want to do the best for it, the best l
know how.
i have another reason too, x know it's aselfish reason, but
it's selfish for all of us in this town,
Our City was fortunate enough
to be appointed as one of the three bicentennial cities. What ate we
going to show to all these people who are comingzto ourur town, doing
to take them to the top of the Coiumbt�s'?. What will �
great project that we can be proud of? What did we create? no you
know that Montreal seven years before the Bxpb started tooc me reatew of
one plaza Venetia but ten of them to show the p p
le how their city is. Can we say that here? We going to take them to
Fort Lauderdale from Miami? or; send them to Miami. Beach? What are,.
they going to see, to show to these people, the inter -city of Miami.
ti �.
Well, this is my town. I'm selfish enough to want to show
them something. We have done one big,
one huge financial sacrifice
by promoting a project a half a year earlier than originally we
heralded it andscheduled it.
Instead of April 1973 start, we have
gone through great expense and stepped up everybody and all our
professional help to try to commence our project within this year.
Expect it to start, probably, , in November. We did that in order to
be able to live up to 1976, to the Bicentennial Year. So at least
we will have one light in our City that we can point to with proudness...
I'd like to introduce you to great professional help I've had
in the concept of this project, Mr. Joseph Amisano, from Toombs, Amisano
and. Wells.
Mr. Burns: Go ahead, Mr. Amisano.
Mr. Amisano: Mr. Chairmafl, I'm Joseph Amisano.
Mr. Burns: Mr. Amisano, would you just state your ,address
for the record please.
Mr. Amisano: 148 Cain Street, , Georgia. rgia. The project
which Mr. Rollo has described sets forth so far as the accounting is
concerned, not only the requirements of planning related to the, site,
but so far as planners are concerned, our concern that the project
fit into a network that already exists in the area. And I would like
to use this first drawing which we call an activity framework.
The outline of this drawing is basically that of the Downtown
Development Plan; the expressway systems are outlined in red, the
present area that's referred to as the CBD is .in this area here, The.
area in question which revolves around the plaza Venetia project is
to the north here and the center activity area isthe one that links
the two. The green which acts as an activity spine of Biscayne which
is a traditional development site, is part of the reason why we think
in concept the proposal which Plaza Venetia is intended to envision,
fits in with the things which already exist which were there long
before Plaza Venetia was even conceived,
Aetivitiet, Wt don't iaok At a etty in tens Of tpteifio
land.use, where one lives, where Ond Warks, where ene is edtosttd,
These have tendenoies to change, grate ehanges ate not made by platnnerd,;
they're made by people. An activity opine is treated because the
people take that pate if the path§ to exist, in fact that these
are activity Centers, a school is an activity center; a pilot where
people tune tot like, this building is an activity tenter. Each
one of the have a kind of.seaie, they exist in time 6f day, some
are more important in the day, tome are more important at night. with-
in this area, traditionally, and for whatever reasons thoae people wbo
had the land, with their property rights, developed -well, they did
develop. There Was Sears, then followed Jordan Marsl-, deifersors.
sut ih addition ts5 that, dispersed onthe smile spine are many other
commercial buildings. These are activities which people want.
A city is fragmented just as this map, this model shows. And
we have an aerial photograph that t would like to show you what is
real fragmentation of the city. And it does all kinds of things, it
fragments people, fragments values, it fragments the ability to unite
under some kind of comprehensive olati.
Now, this is the same, this aerial photograph :.which .,is,taken
from the west looking toward the site which is in here. If you look
at the model which is a pretty close representation of what exists,
this is an aerial photograph, by law just one sea of parking lots.
But indispersed in this sea of parking, which extends from the
expressway going north beyond 17th Street, and from Biscayne, from
the Bay clear, I don't know what this street is, second or even be-
yond that, I'm sure that there's parking beyond that. The parking
is created by centers of activity, the college. When I was here,
I was stationed here, and in '43 I was in this building here and
it's pretty much the same today as it was in '43.
The interesting thing about the City as a, whole, and I'd like
to go back to this diagram again, that it takes a. catalyst of some
kind, and sometimes its a commercial venture, sometimes it could be
a park, sometimes it's a fair, sometimes it's an event, to unitewhat
can be in terms and by evidence of what already exists there, a very
fragmented area. And this: persists in nearly all of our American cities.
what we are attempting to do here in this project is not only
to; lookat what the which
t ee_aca,led.for which relate
indredients whic,.which,
h,have
been cal
to the current land uses are `t , the there, they re there
before Plaza Venetia. We're anchoring on to what already exists, which
was created by other people. What we're hoping that could come out of
a development such as Plaza Venetiais a way to parley out of commer-
cial development the kind of unifying forces which could be brought
together to make a much mor
e cohesive area and demonstrate, ;if it's
demonstrated here, that it could be demonstrated, in manyother parts.
of the city. There are serious problems, I'm sure the planners and
.
a lot of people are very much aware of this, in terms of what express'-
ways do to ,communities
But we're trying to say by these arrows that there are ways in
which leaps to be made, We're simply saying, in the larger context
of this development as it relates to the area and then to the City
and to the Downtown Development Plan, that it is one fragment, 1 don't'
sayit is the most important one, There are other needs, there are
housing needs,there are recreation needs, there are educational needs.
Bach have their own hierarchy in time. But we're simply saying in this
hind of development that whatever could be parleyed out of developing
the hind of uses in the area, this ie what we see in the larger context
or our project.
all- March 27, 1972
l would like to mention that any planning that, the particular
some of this ei2e and tie plans. that we've been involved in, there,
has to be a framework, a kind of set of rules, In some • instances we
have,not necessarily in the order of importance, one through eight.
In terms of development many times these numbers change. But 1 would
like tes just illustrate what we see as being important not only to
this project, but 1 like to keep referring back to this larger issues
which are going to come cut and hopefully will eeMe out of the, of
a kind of a unification plan.
The first item which has to do with pedestrian circulation,
Now what I have written here in blue substantially in every instance
the sate kind of what they call a5 far as toning -planning is concerned,
having to do with what is known as bonus incentives. In other words
if a developer does certain things towards achieving these elements
in a framework plan, these are referred to as ;bonus incentives. And
these are the same incentives that are used in Minneapolis and a great
manyother cities Hartford,
�tem that wenhavencisco, listed hod other places.
And in every instance, every re were made
reference to in our plan.
we are concerned with pedestrian circulation; access; view
enhancement; pedestrian amenities; land use; service, service meaning
the facilities to serve a facility; parking and transit. And the
reference I make to development opportunities which are both public
and private benefits, we can elaborate much more. I've voluted to
the references of linkage; no project exists by itself. And ultimately
it does enrich urban life and whether, it may be difficult to vision
something that is described as having street boundaries to not have
a kind of inter -light that it gives to an enrichment of people; not
only those who use it but those who simply come in contact with the
benefits that are derived. In other words, everydevelopment has an
impact on other development in the future. And certainly, as far, as
enrichment is concerned, that variety is one of the major activities
that we all look for .in life in general.
I would like to run, and take each of these items now, as they,
as I've addressed, them to in terms of a planning framework and then
I'd like to review it in terms of the plan.
Rev. Wright: Help yourself. Go right ahead.
Mr. Amisano: The first drawing indicates the kind of cir-
culation that is, demonstrated by the plan. We have on thisside
roughly thirty-four hundred cars parked in the covered parking; there's
no parking other than covered parking. In the area of the apartments,
a reduced number of apartments, they'll: be approximately a thousand
vehicles under the ratio of one to three, on this side. And in no
instance do we haije a contrary turn, in terms of getting into a
facility. We have worked very closely with Wilbur Smith's firm in
this regard and a member of their firm is here' tonight if you: want to
ask any detailed questions about it. Jis conclusions, if I may read
just this one paragraph?
"The study of access and circulation in the environments of
the proposed development indicate safe and convenient access for the
patronsand employees of the project without significant interference
to highway traffic if the recommended ,street improvements are imple-
mented," The basic one being a traffic light on this corner, which
does . not exist, "The sight is well located in retat on to the a '0a' S
March 27 i972 tcm *0
sr uIt and em teaar ay
south and theti tht
ate:.. c;ene.'''ated
land uses will tend t
requirements 6,,:: the -
is indioated.y the
,'ratema", which has these eonneetions to the
=ate "which will f :u .litatt rapid dispersal
The exL.:,1- 6/ t';t tie service and the mixed
. nimiae +:,. i 16a a of travel and parking
,et on the tr:ounding area will be leas than
t:Ll site of development,"
"
We have worked very c1b. rly with the bepartment of Trans-
portation, who has reviewed the: plans; and subject to his seeing the
final report which we have a draft of, from Wilbur Smith'e; they
approved the plans contingent on receiving the final report of Wilbur
Smith's.:
No major urban development can take place without setting off an
enormous ripple with having to do with its servicing. Categorically,
in nearly every urban area which we've been involved in, that the
cost of servicing has risen so sharply to the point in many instances,
for instance, furniture that's delivered in major urban areas, some-
times delivery costsalmost the same as the object itself. This is
true in many instances . in New York
What we have tried to do here, knowing that these service
requirements, of making sure there is a truck entrance; there is
a place for a track to turn around within the project. It has a
sufficient reservoir. That we are not backing into a street. to
get into a facility, as there are many, many instances not only here
but in many other cities. And what we've provided for, five compounds
for parking, for off-street loading, which are indicated in red; four
for the commercial area and one for housing.
The pedestrian circulation as it currently exists that would
be coming from this .Biscayne activity corridor, basically all commer-
cial and some housing to the north of the project; and then what will
maybe coming generally from other parking areas asthey are exhibited
even in the model; the people will be walking to the project. There's
a light at this intersec;re resents the on
also the one that wereproposing
17th,Terrace. And the green area circulation p tion of pedes-
trian movement and one essential element having to do with the
pedestrian circulation at street level, particularly on something that
is multi-facted and in many cities such as, even, San Francisco at
the moment, so far as bonus incentives, take the point of view having
to do with multiple entrances, irk terms of pedestrian movement, has
a higher' value, in terms of. the incentive to the developer than: in
- - a bonus. Sothat
..
some of the other,_ things which=: are ,classified as
we have a multiple entrance, but in time there will be Obviously more
development here on the south towards the Herald that's land,'I
believe, in one ownership. There's bound to be development there.
So :that there is a light at this quandrant andwill take care of the
pedestrian movement'. at this level,
We have provided in the setback a right-of-way which will be
both on the north and south sides of the apartment house property.
And that drawing to the far left, if you'll look at that drawing to
the far left, shows a pedestrian way leading towards the Bay, And
at the Bay, the second drawing on the easel there, represents the,
within the aeti ac , a public right--of-way which would be at the Bay
level., what would be the street level..
In addition to that we have provided vertit'al access at both
points to a second pedestrian Level., which is the green in this
circulation end that drawing which shows the overpass which is part
of :the traffic batik which is bridging the street at thin point, At
this point the pedestrian, :even if he comes from some other fadi ity
:h the area, this is a vertical: access, it's entirely public and these
malls, as cl ass tied by this green board, as being publieti they are
public rights -of -way and entirely within the scope at what can 'be
acceptable to the public. We have provided that kind of public
right-of-way.
And I would like to call your attention to one other item,
and think this is important in terms of parleying planning,
hat
l mean by parleying, is how do you get more, l teak it dollars are
spent, t mean how in a sense more things..we have indicated that if
we are, going to have a fayfront promenade, to termir..tte at a property
line simply would mean it would wind up being a oul-de=sad. And
many, many cul-de-sacs, in essence, need a,great deal of activity to
make it interesting for people to come back on themselves.
What we are suggesting here, in the interest of what copld be
a future ro o
p p sal, a -way of.
that the pedestrian right--of-way could
be extended
_ ..
to the north and to the south along the way. It
creating or hoping, anyway,
that that activity to the north of the
park area could be developed because of what the impact this project
would have on the use of that land which right now stands.. idle. It's
basically, as far as parking, as most tenants live in buildings across
the way, I. used to, live in one, and there's no parking. But I'woiuld
like to point out that that is possible.
In detail, I don't want to, I know there are, other people who
do want to speak for or against it. I would like to demonstrate
some of the things which are going to be going on in this project.
The setbacks - in plans and figurations one of the important
things in terms of a project of this size is not to have what would
be in terms of along facade which would go from 15th,to 17th Street
Terrace, a monotonous facade either at street level or at a distance
or even for those within the building. It's not an office building,
it has many components and we're trying to take advantage of the
variety that this would afford us to accomplish that end.
In thesecond department store has a setback in this area here,
it's about 40' or 50' from the corner, there will be an escalator:,
directly from the street into that store, so that becomes a separate
entrance as far as pedestrians walking that far to the site.
These stores to. the south of it has an average 20' setback
and at this point where we have a taxi and bus drop-off,' all within
the project. It's not :out on the street as it exists right now..
And this illustration showsthat drop-off at that point, the kind
of undulating facade along Biscayne. And that setback is about 60'
at this point. And we're.. very, much interested in achieving that
kind of architectural variety along the facade.
The rest of the plans illustrate the setbacks along 16th
Street, the promenade.on the Bay, and the 50' setbackalong the
north rise of the property. It's not shown here on this plan but
it would come to this point right here. And that's all parking at
that level and there are two levels of that parking before you get
to the retail levels which there are two basic retail, levels and in
the center there are three retail levels and that goes through the
roof. The parking access at that point is from these ramps,: you go
up in this faehien to the pa?ci.ng decks which are above it. This
shows the pedestrian link over to the housing area, There are three
-20- March 27. 1972 1tego 03
4
4
levels of parking above the retail and shave the last level of 'park..
:nz there is a 'hotel and office building whieh is shown in this sec-
tion. This shows the layers of parking, the calm 'building, and
the hotel, and this is the existing Jordan Marsh store.
To demonstrate the kind of facility we have in mind in terms
of public space: now, these have to be seen in the context of what
is tradition. Por instance, a city like Chester in -England which
has'a three-level'shopping street; it still exists, it's an
;iiaabethian town. It exists because it draws people and takes dare
of the needs and has been consistently good in terms of planning,
In the more modern versions, the gallery ift Milan is characteristic
of this type of enclosed space. And what is beingprovided here is
the kind of enclosed public space that becomes public :whin people
become accustomed to go there truly for their shopping needs, be-
domes a place to meet. One only has to see some of these shopping
centers. A magnificent one that was ;opened recently in San 'ose;
tosee it,the villa as a meeting place. Now, it happens to be a
modern meeting place, that modern meeting place is gotten there
by a car. I mean, that is a fact. of our traffic option as
Americans. We travel by cars, and we come to kinds of places which,
by virtue of the technical facilities we have at hand, we are able
to enclose them. We live in that kind of conditioned technology.
and a combination of the mode of traveling which is the automobile,
, p having to do with
and our abilityto handle the technical problems hat�i
providing the kind it's a kind of environment that prefers all;
weather. gut it does contribute to a development ofanother kind
of meeting place.
The quality y- no one meets in an area that is mean, that
has a great many disadvantages, and the only thing.I can say to
their workability, there are just too many illustrations around
the countryand other places abroadthat demonstrate that" this, is
entirely true.
The present zoning, I just want to illustrate this point
and then I would like to go backto the charts, if I may. The: present
C-1 zoning - this is an illustration of what can be done commercially
over this entire site, with a 10' setback here and 5' here; that you
can put four hundred and twenty thousand square feet of space, assuming
you put parking in a garage, which . is .not creditedas usable occupied
space. You'd wind up with a four-story building over the entire site,
or it would be a ten -story building exclusive of the parking if it.
were done just lateraly, north and south on the site.
I would like to go back to where I started, and I said when
I startedthat every element that we have demonstrated in the plan,
in the terms of what werefer to as a planning framework. Now, we
stand by was the reference point. If, therewas no pedestrian access,
if there were no pedestrian rights -of -way in the plan, then we have
failed. If we had not provided vehicular accessthat is safe, that
there is a separation' between vehicular movement, then , we have failed.
If we have not saidthat our concerns for view, enhancement, whether
they be at ground level or on another level; now, 1 didn't speak to
thefact that there would be other `levels, `that .could be a hotel and
office building, in those you may take for granted. But, I'm con-
cerned more with those which could be classified as what the public
has access to, not that you have to pay a dime to get in. That's view
enhancement,
. 1. Plarch 27, 1972 1 em #3
Now, everyone of these items that I have listed hero are
out of ,coning manuals across the 'country that are classified as
bonus incentives. There's no coverage an the upper floor, there
are observation decks* If we do not have pedestrian amenities,
thenwe have failed. We have a Bayffont promenade. 1ft have the
Opportunity to'a park lane. It not there, but we have the
opportunity% And it is, so fag as an amenity, it's there at
multi -levels.
As far as land use is concerned, we have linked it to an
emitting land use, created by other people. toM didn't build
Jordan Marsh, it's there. The fact that it does litAk to an emitt-
ing activity corridor, that service - we have tried to take service,
take it out of it's nuisance quality and brought into the project
with its own reservoir built-in. Parking, we have covered par3.ingb
We've controlled egress and it is secure by virtue of the type
of traffic planning that we went into by Wilbur Smith.
So far as transit is concerned, if there were more
sophisticated ways for transit, we would more than welcome the
inclusion of that kind of transit. But right at the, moment` the
only thing thatwe have is the bus and taxis and we've provided
a special place, not something that's offs -street or is marred with
a sign. They have something, close to two hundred feet provided
for that purpose. And in each of these we have demonstrated in,
the plans, that they do exist, they are the developer's objectives,
they are objectives, and with their ability to refine these.We
i
are in a long ways, in a sense, to say you have a blueprint n hand.
Rev. Wright: Mr. Amisano, I suppose I'm going to ask you
for information for me, to be a bit more elementary in making an
analysis of qualitative experiences, you have, pedestrian circu-
lation, showing walking distances.
Would you give us an analysis of what you mean when you say
qualitative experiences.
Mr. Amisano:, If you, for instance, ifyou take Biscayne,
if there's a void of interest - one of the interesting things about
any street where there are mobile occupancies, there can be a flower
shop, a restaurant, whatever. That experience in: qualitative, in
terms of planning, does not necessarily mean that is now, trees,
landscaping are part, one function are the quality of a pedestrian
right-of-way. Protection, the feeling of people there; the interest.
that a society creates, whether,' it's for amusement,' whetherto be
a verygood business manand attract the customer in., Those
qualitative elements having to do with lighting
and landscaping, uses
on the, street level, we have attempted' to incorporate_ in this plan.
And that's what I mean by qualitative,
Rev. Wright: Thank you very much, you may proceed.
Mr, Amisano: We would like to see, as I mentioned earlier, we
hoped there would be development opportunities that are both public`
and private. We would like to see the area upgraded, as that photo-
graph demonstrates it is obviously a lot of parking lots, and there
should be long-range amenities included. Now, that's a kind of dive
and take, a question ' of what the City can n and cannot do momentarily,
what a developer can and cannot do, but it Shouldn't exclude the
potential for long-range _ the inclusion of amenities whi h would not
be a benefit to the City, not only in the first instance, when a
project like this comet up, it could happen five, ton year§ °down
the road. And we've teen many deveiopMentt which AO not have that
built into it. And then the linkage, I think that's obv out, they
already §mist there and, hopefully, a projest like thie can enridh
a - not neeeaearily the tee of, there's an enriehtfent, for inatanpe,
1 Can't think of . New York City and thnte who have Visited it, with-
out Roo'kefeller Pla2ai I can't think of a titfie when it didn't §Kist.
I may not have need it, l may have only been there once, but they
own an enrichment that bringt people together where they may not
be able to get together:
There are causes for separations in society elat eXist,
we. are 'interested in doing,anything'that can be cohesive. flow,
that is in a sense what I mean by enrichment. The project by
itself enriches, in terms of - it serelooking
akingb to, Mr.
alo
mentioned, the amount of land that' being y yearby
spreading outmissed and ahalf s uarebst 5O%, it's million;
y .. more than a
It's a millionq feet that's being urbanized every
year. In fact, it's 345 acres per clay in California.
There's an enormous amount of urban land to be developed
without extending it. You hear words like density all these
things have enormous potential for debate, ,togo off until doomsday.
The questionis, in terms of urban development, which kinds of
urban development can do the kind of things in other words, if
we have, in a sense, a demonstration facility that can be pointed
to where these things are included. It's - I. send my clients,
my developer clients, to Montreal, if I'm trying to tell them what
can be done at multi -levels. How something can enrich a community.
Mr. Hollo was right when he said it was stagnant at time, very
much so. It parleyed it's transit system; you can't imagine what
that one project did in terms of qualitative. development.
So I'd send them there. I would send them anywhere that
they'd see something good. I've learned from the past, I've spent
years in Europe, that's where I studied. I know I can gain from that,
Iknow what has been tested. I. know what is characteristic of the
American modes, in terms of what we would .want out of environment.
But, surely to exclude housing out of an urban area which we're
definitely trying to get in, I. don't; mean luxury housing, this is
by no means luxury housing. But to, exclude the kinds of things
people want? And Americans travel by car and until we have transit
systems, that's the way they are going to travel. It's even very
doubtful that if they did, as demonstrated in many cities who have
it - but that's, simply another option to take care of population
increases.
But what we've set out to do is to try to develop a project,
an amenity for Miami. Thank you,
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Amisano,
Mr. Watson: _ Mr, Chairman, before T introduce the next speaker,
I have about thirty . some --odd, letters. Naturally, 1 don't want to
read them all into the record, but there's three or four I do want
to get in at this time.
Got a letter from Jordan Marsh dated March 20, 1972 addressed
to Mr. 'Tibor HQIIo
"bear Ted: I want is express our confidence and enthuaiaam
for the Plata Venetia project which you are planning to build ad-
jacent to our note. The magnitude of the project will give a
tremendous boost to the future business growth of Mitzi. Certainly
being the center of thit exciting project is an important factor
to Riordan Marsh. More importantly, however, is the great meaning
to the City of Miami. There is no doubt that this project will
epur additional development throughout the area from the MacArthur
to the Julia Tuttle Causeways.
We both know that the heart of a city is its ability to
build its business base in order to enable it to pr-duce the money
necessary for its populations needs. projects of this nature not
only produce additional sales for the city but additional jobs,
taxes and great confidence b' all people in the community for the
dynamic lifeof the city.
Once again, I want:to share our enthusiasm with you as well
as our wholehearted support in this project:" Sincerely, William
Se Ruben, President:
A letter dated today, March 27th, 1972, from the Greater
Miami Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Tibor Mono, President, Florida
East Coast Properties, Inc:
"Dear Ted: We are very pleased that your plans for Plaza
Venetia show such confidence in the future of Downtown Miami. It
has been one of the Chamber's aims for the past three years to
support strongly whatever Greater Miami could do to secure the
interest of investors such as yourself in proposing large, well -
planned developments to strengthen our core City.
The exciting things now happening in all sectors of the
downtown area make us feel that our future is not only secure, but
considerably brighter than it was five years ago.
The two new buildings going up at Flagler and the Boulevard,
the new downtown campus of Miami -Dade Junior College, the coming
redevelopment of the Old Port site, and the steady progress toward
a new. Government/Convention Center downtown, are all evidence of
a strong civic pride in Miami and a growing thrust toward greatness.
From our knowledge of core city redevelopments taking place
inother cities, we believe the Plaza Venetia concept is not only
sound financially, but is of a scope that permits inclusionof many
qualitiesand amenities that are often omitted in lesser plans. By
its very size, it produces much in quality and pleasure that could
not be obtained otherwise.
Miami has shown that it can "think big" in public develop-
ments, How many cities can boast of a downtown public green space
of the site that Bayfront Park will now become? Or of several blocks
for a downtown Junior College? Or of a multi -block Government/con-
vention Center?
What Manama, must do now --as we see to welcome bigness
in private developments to match the scale of its parks and public
places, Only sizeable private developments can provide the tax
base to finance needed public services without penalizing the
homeowner: ,Although we have not done a doilar4or4o11ar tax study
on Plaza Venetia, we believe every Miami taxpayer ought to be happy
-24- M4'Cb 27, 1972 Item #3
with the thought'that new private biu ldinga in the tentral eity are
going to help with the tit'burden by.rep1aaing otherwise lowayitid
propertica
Main things area .traat.ive about your plans for Playa Verietia►.
Of particular` note among the Mixed uses of the. land is the space set
aside for to deritial development, Many cities have lagged ih Pro=
viding attractive places fbr people to live in or near the downtown
area; i`ith playa Venetia, Miami will be in a position of loadersh.p,
Having residents "built- in", so to 4300, should contribute
much to the safety anti vitality of the area, itesidet.ts create a.
steady; detMand for goods and services, providing employment for theise
who live in nearby areas. And since visitors always flonk to ilrtely
places, our tourists will also enjoy what'has been built to sere'
Us Well,:
Above ail, perhaps, is the effect of a large new development
on surrounding areas. In city after city, we have seen the upgrading
and rejuvenation of nearby blocks in response to new life and new
demands.,
It has not been possible for us to. study in depth the variances
required by Plaza Venetia to make it economically feasible." We
have no variances now. "It is right and proper, of course, that these
be carefully considered by those who have this responsibility. It
is our hope, however, that zoning regulations -- some of which may
not be applicable today to the best and highest interests of the city,.
would not be narrowly imposed without careful thought for the many
positive gains offered by a development such as Plaza Venetia."
Sincerely, Lester Freeman, Executive Vice President of the Greater
Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Letter dated March 27, 1972, from the Miami Herald Publishing`
Company:
Mr. Tibor Hollo, President, Florida East Coast Properties, Inc.,
"Dear Mr. Hollo: I am taking this opportunity to confirm our position
favoring the development of Plaza Venetia.
As neighbors to the proposed site (Biscayne Boulevard to the
Bay between 15th and 17th Streets) and informed citizens, we strongly
urge the Planning Board to favorable act on tonight's presentation.
Again, best of luck on the speedy development of Plaza Venetia.".
Sincerely, H. J. Jurgensmeyer, Vice President and General Manager of
the Miami Herald Publishing Company.
And last, a letter from, dated today, March 27, 1972, from
Herbert H. Johnson Associates, Architects, Miami, Washington and
Tampa.. Addressed to Mr. Tibor Hollo.
"Mr. Hollo. Several years ago I was a member of a Chamber
of Commerce Committee that was set up for the purpose of establishing
a Downtown Development Authority. We were instrumental in setting up
the present tax district including all of the downtown area from ' 17
Street on the North to the Miami River. The Downtown Development
Authority operates on funds contributed by the taxpayers in this area.
At that time and today, the Downtown DevelepmentAuthor'ity considers,
this entire area As part of downtown Miami. It seems only fair then
that the zoning for this area would be the same as downtown Miami,
namely C= z. This reminde me of another en
without repreaentation.
The change in zoning to C-3 seems even more reasonable when
.you consider that C-4 abutts the property on the ,youth and is
one-half 'block away to the hest
•
where that
was taitativn
As you may know, I investigated all of this far another
developer who had contemplated purchasing the property. The "Master
Plan that we developed at that time, for what we considered to be
the proper use of the land, was very similar to yours. It too would
have required a change in toning to 0=3.
There have been a number of Master plans made for the re-
development of downtown Miami all of which have included the aria
around Jordan Marsh as a Major commercial area. In order that it
become such an . area our plans contemplated that the zoning would
be less restrictive.
I am sorry that I cannot be at the hearing tonight because
of prior commitments. 1 would have like to express my opinions
in person." Sincerely, Herbert B. Johnson,,F.A.I.A.,
Now, 1 want to introduce these four letters together with
an additional thirty some -odd letters from business people, services,
in the city of Miami, all in favor of the project.
Mr. Martinez: Mr. Simpson, would you pick up the letters, sir?
Mr. Watson: Now, at this time I would like to call upon
Mr. Walter B. Fries who is president of the Biscayne Businessmen
Association and president of the Central National Bank. Mr. Fries.
Members of the Board, Staff Members, Ladiesand
is Walter Fries, by business address. is 1550
and I'm president of the Biscayne Boulevard.
Mr. Fries:
Gentlemen, my name
Biscayne Boulevard,
Association.
Numbered among our members are the representatives of
Jeffersons,Jordan Marsh, Sears, Bacardi Rum, realtors,.property
owners, retailers; approximately 70 in total number. It is the
consensus: of our membership that this project, to begin with, is
much needed:
In the short time, approximately three years, since I've
been at this bank, I have noticed the gradual decline in the economy
in the area. I. think that, with this project, we will have a
revitalization not only ofthe immediate area but also of, the whole
downtown area of Miami.
And we, as a group, and my bank, as an entity, want to
on record as favoring this project, Thank you.
Mx, Martinez; Thank you, Mr. Fries,
Mr, Watson; i call Mr, puBr,euil, representing United i3usiness
Council, which represents al.l the unions in Miami,
Mr, BuBrouil; Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is George Pt Breuil,
for the record 1 live at 300 Sevilla, Dotal Gables, Forty years i'vo
lived in the City of Miami, forty-eight years is the total length of
time that I've been bores
March 27, 3972 ltom #3
The •area in question is an area that in §11 , '14 and 11 was
ny paper ratite as a child. t'm very familiar with the area. The 'main
thing I'm here to tali to you gent eth n Abb t, and ladies., is that
back in 1056 and 1061 when l was a member of the dommittift , it took
sotfie fordeight on the part of our planners at that: time, to eon§ides
the remoning of triekeli on both sides, to Riekenbacker Causeway.
and to the south, tothe north, to the River. It also took gothe
tremendous foresight of the part of the Planning Staff and the
Cam mission at that time to eontider potting Lodge Ieland Seaport
where it was, at the objection of one of the large local newspapers
who fought us tremendously all the way.
Later, however, less than a month ago, the same newspaper
said in it editorial, one of the finest things that ever happened
to the economy of Downtown Miami.
The purpose that I am here tonight is that you gentlemen
and ladies weigh very carefully what you're doing. Be sure all the.
proper setbacks, the sewerage, the streets, the other plans, is here.
I would like to remind you once again, however though, that the
budget of the city of Miami; I know in 1960 eighty. percent of the
taxes came from the downtown core area of our City. At that time
our City was very fastly moving out into the shopping center areas.
We considered this at the time. I think, again, is another milestone,..
in the history of the City of Miami that's going to have to be taken
into consideration in the planning of this.
The building trades in Dade County represent approximately
forty thousand membership. Members that are not in the building.
trades. are another thirty thousand. This does not include the
waitresses and the help and the cocktail that will be in this
area as well.
I want to thank you for the opportunity to say what I. felt.
Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Dubreuil.
Mr. Watson:. I would like to call Dean McCormick of the
Trinity. Episcopal Church.
Rev. McCormick: I'm the Very Reverend George McCormick, Dean
of Trinity Episcopal Church, North Bayshore Drive at 16th Street; a
congregation founded by JuliaTuttle, representing the finer families
of the City. It's been on its present location since 1924, the
congregation has integrated, took leadership in this field and now.
reaches out to the community in which it lives.
We are entirely in favor of the petitions underconsideration.
we are very pleased to see the withdrawal of variance requests that.
did affect our good neighbors to the north, the Miami Wornen' s Club.
But the petition now under consideration, : we favor entirely.
When my father first took me to New, York, . st ,the .age of twelve,
I was overwhelmed by Rookefel,ler Center, which the ,architect mentioned.
But then he showed me the plaza and the promenade and the fountains
and the statue of Prometheus and the flowers, and I thought it was
so exciting, The Radio City Music Hall and' .he stores underneath,
I've forgot how large the buildings were,. And that's the impression
I had when I saw the model of plaza Venetia in Jordan Marsh last
November. I was OVerWhalMed. I MAP panicrestriOksn. What's going to
happen to us?
-27- Mauch 27, l 7.2
Than I looked into it. and I aaw the beauty of the aondept,.
the landscaping, the recreational areas and 1 was delighted. l
forget the thing was big, because it's going th serve people. 1
don't think it in any way can harm any of the neighborhood, any
of the neighbors, Whom we love dearly. And we do urge a favorable
ruling from you on the petition under consideration.
Mr. Martinet: Thank you, Reverend McCormick.
Mr. Watson: Call Mr. Ebert Miller,
Mr. Miller My raMe is Robert Miller, 1 am el architect,
my office address is 4100 North Miami Avenue in Miami.
Although we are in association with Mr. Ted Hallo can anc':her
pro
ject, with regards to this project we have absolutely no contact
�
with him. So we are speaking --
Rev, Wright: Mr. Miller, would you speak just a bit louder
please.
Mr. Miller:A11 right. We are speaking then from a point
of view which allows us, really, to take our own stand. We are
not representing our client.
Some twenty years ago the late Robert Law Weid conceived
a project not unlike this down at the south end of'Brickell Avenue,
and for reasons of objections based upon zoning, based upon its
forthwith denial of traditional planning concepts, it languished
and it failed to mature.
I thinkyou can examine that site down there now, in the
intervening twenty years it has, remained a rather objectionable,
undeveloped sea of parking. About the only beautiful thing that
was there for many years, a great, huge Ficus tree was destroyed
because it provided for about ten more parking spaces. And we
still do not have what could have been a major contributor to
the growth and the prosperity of the Downtown area.
T think that this particular project, although it is now
no longer a visionary project, it is somewhat popular throughout
major metropolitan areas throughout the Country, doessignify a
true step into, you might say, complete service buildings encompassing
work patterns, encompassing commercial uses and encompassing resi-
dential uses. And it is a direction we're going to have to take,
we cannot continue to look to, the past in Miami, which has always
been a forward thinking city, but at times has shown itself to
hang onto its path. Miami needs this project. Itneeds it for
more than just the reason that Ted Hollo has presented here. It
needs it for the rest of us and it needs it to encoura9e other
developers to take the same direction. Thank you.
Mr. Martinez; Thank you, Mr, Miller, Mr, Watson, may I
ask you a question.
How many more speakers do you plan to have?
Mr, Watson; I have two more scheduled . speakers , and then l
understand there are two or three from the audience that would like
to speak in favor, and that vnuld complete our initial part.
Mr, Martinez; All alight, thank you,
Mr. Watson. Al/ aright, Mr, Doh Oliver please.
20- March 27, 972
Mr i Oliver: My nate is no3er' ()liver., my address it SOO
tiaoayne toulevard Way, And, Mr. Martinet, I'll be brief 'because
I'm not a ptibii'o speaker. I'm 3ust a concerted eitiaeei
My family settled in Miami around 150 and my grandmother
lives in a home on N. B. 20th Terrace, It was built by her and
my grandfather, who's deceased, in §0 . Shea ninety years old.
My father is a physician here in town: my uncle was head of the
Criminal and Circuit Courts; and I'm a businessman who's some back
to Miami to settle after going to school away.
/'M concerned with the direction of Downtown:iiami for
sotebody my age, I'm thirty years old, I lived for awhile, before
1 was married, in the 100 Biscayne building, I had an office there,
and it wasn't a nice, a very pleasant to live for a single guy.
I'd go to Dadelarid to shop. I'd go to Coral Gables to shop. There
was just nothing Downtown, and there's nothing Downtown now with
the exception of, you know, our offices and our business; our day
to day rife, we travel in from the suburbs.
The tax problem in Miami is becoming more and, more acute
and i just cannot envision, personally, or imagine this project not
coming to pass.' It's just unbelievable to me that there would be,
you know, any controversy or any opinion that would halt something
like this for the Downtown area. I thank you very much.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Oliver.
Mr. Watson: Ernestine Gray please.
Mr. Martinez: I was wondering if you were going to have
female in your group.`
Ms. Gray: Thank you Mr. Watson and Members of the Planning
Board.
You've heard all predecessors, gentlemen, men, professional
business men, who approach the entire project as they should, from
the progress the City will make, the wonderful income that will be
derived, the tax increase that will be so great. But man does not
live by bread alone.
I'm looking forward with great anticipation, as the many
. '
other thousands of working. women in Downtown Miami,Iam sure, are,
to this lovely promenade where I can take a walk during a lunch
hour and enjoy the beauty of this fantastic City, or I can sit down
for fifteen minutes and just rest and breathin the beautiful air
of Miami. Or I' can, instead of pushing into one day,on a Saturday,
the thousands, all the things that a housewife and a mother must do
when she's working, split it up over the week in all: these lovely
little shops; that's what I'm looking forward to. And in the
evenings, there'll be marvelous cultural events. I won't even have
to drive all the way home, I'll be able to stay right downtown to
ace a great movie, in a safe place,
or go the a lovely concert or see an art exhibition.
Gentlemen, I'm looking forward to this and for this reason alone,
because basically I am a female and I do enjoy the moat, well., let's
say, not just the bread, but the cake in life. Thank you.
Mr. Martinez; Thank you,
Mr. Watson: M. Chairman, that completes our initial
presentation. I would appreciate however if you would as mays
Morel 27 # 197ct #3
one Of tWO diti2en0 from the fielibr tel OOi>te up, that would be in favor
Of this project, because l know some are here but 1 don't have them
echedulad.
Mr. Martinet! Well, we'll give A couple of minutes to a few,
a couple of the oititens that night want to speak in behalf of this
project
Mr. Williams: dentleren and ladies, my name is Lucius Williams,
bisector of the bowntown Development Authority, my address ig 601
Dupont Plata Center.
1 have, of course, had the opportunity to review these plans
that you have seen tonight and 1, too, am eMtited about this proposed
development
The increased intensity in this area, what h some have com-
plained about, for retain, commercial and residential development has
been expected by those of us in the business, This is really no
surprize.. The Downtown Miami Plan projected the proposeduses that
this developer is proposing here, and the Miami Plan projected an
increased intensity.
It is and was for that reason that the Downtown Development
Authority has recommended a revision to the City of Miami Zoning
Ordinance since 1967. Because we knew then and we know now that
the present Ordinance is not sufficient to do the job that needs
to be done with modern techniques of development and with a develop-
ment like this occurring throughout this Country and we knew would
occur in this area here.
Not only did we know that this kind of development would be
brought before us, the planning process for Downtown Miami recognizes
that the creation of asecond major retail center, at this location,.
is in accordance with good planning principles and it best takes
advantage of the area's physical capabilities, including transporta-
tion. We have seen here an imaginative development. And I'm just
delighted that Mr. Amisano had anopportunity to bringthese sketches
for you, so that you could see the relationship of this project to
the water. The relationship of the project to. Biscayne Boulevard.
So that you can seethe setbacks that are provided and the amenities
that will be made available to the general public.
Just as important, of course, alongwith that, is the pedestrian
system. A pedestrian system which, even though it goes through private
property, a.s made available for the public during all hours of the day
and most of the hours of the night. Pedestrians who can go up onto
the apartment dwelling site from the waterfront and traverse into
the commercial area, even though they maynot be tenants in,that
mm
builds.
er
ng; they can go up through the escalators through elevators and.
access points on the water, cross the plaza, the recreation plaza, and
into the commercial and then down agar to exits, of course,
on<the Boulevard and on 15th Street,
These are all amenities that we, in the business, have known
should be included in projects, And here we see a big project where
they have been included indeed,
One thing I would life to establish firmly is that tha-a area,
the Jordan Marsh area generally all the way to 17th. Street, is in the
Downtown Miami Development Authority District and should accommodate
the samim types of used AS are now found on the Vlagler Street axis.
-30- March Item #3
Thit opinion is alto reflected in the Downtown Miami Plan, the only
plant which have been prepared which reflect utot and intensity of
uaets And what I'm saying there in that the Downtown Miami Plan
does inc1eed reflect a substantially higher intensity of development
than now emiata and th$nid now permitted in the Cat development.
UnEortr natel.y, this community, those of you, the City
Commission and all of us together have waited tee* long to revise
our Ordinance to accommodate this kind of development, We have
been trying to get it done nor several years, funds stir: are
hampering our accomplishing that objective and we now have a
developer ready to build something and we do not have the technique
to let it be done. Because I, for one, think not only that the
C-2 District is inadequate and, inappropriate with a 2.0 Plodr Area
Ratio permitted, but l think also that the C-3 District is inadequat
and inappropriate with a thirty to one. Reality rests somewhere
in between these two. And w-ith the proposal recommended here, t
believe with a F.A.R. on the wat
er of something less than five now
and with a F.A. R. on the commercial district of something lust over
three, you may be in the realm of . reality.
Now, we've seen that you have three alternatives. The first
alternative is to leave the zoning the way it is and that would
permit a two to one Floor Area Ratio and, I believe that under those
conditions you would find the area continued to be used as a sea of
parking automobiles.
The second alternative would be to change the zoning to the
C-3,;perhaps with some conditions on it, conditions that perhaps as
has been demonstrated here, a willingness to include in these de-
velopments.
A third alternative would be to create a new. Planned De-
velopment zone classification which I believe the Planning .Depart-
ment has recommended and is about to show you perhaps even later
this evening. Unfortunately, in my opinion, I do not believe that
our machinery is such that we can adopt this ordinance, hear the
ordinance, go through the necessary hearings on the plans and the
reviews and the communications that will, unquestionably, be
essential to do this thing in a time schedule and a time period that
would be sufficient to assure the adequate and timely completion of
this project. And it is for that reason that I'm going to concur
and to recommend, especially since we have been able to work out..
the withdrawal of all variances, I'm going to concur and to recommend
in rezoning of this area to C-3.
In making this recommendation I would like to apprise you
of some of the benefits that will accrue to the public, because we're
already asking, what is the public going to get out of this develop-
ment, ,And I believe that's a valid question and I thin% weshould
be looking to see that the public get something out of the concessions
that we make in zoning cases,
� out let me the topof myhead, these are
and these
recite to you j -. e
arent items off claims for bonus
systems in zoning ordinances across this Country, But they simply
don't happen to be in our zoning ordinance.
One., is the assembly of a large tract of land, in this ease,
exceeding fifteen acres, Another is the provision of inside parking
Ln numbers more than required by the ordinance, A third is the pro-.
•
vitiOh tf recreational areas and observation decks an upper heels
of parking decks. This means that we won't see as we see cow in
the residential development of this proposal, 'a tad of cars on
tap of a structure when someone else is looking down at there from
another point of view. The fourth item is the provision of law
building coverage on ,upper levels. The fifth item is the off-street
loading and unloading for pedestrians and goons and services. This
is ofparticular importance because the tie-up of traffic in loading
and unloading of pedestrians on a major thoroughfare such as this
isuntenable &ha especiallythe tie-up of the same traffic for the
provision of unloading of goods and services for that building. In
this case atotal system of off-street loading and u.iloading has
been accommodated and is made available to assurethe continuation
Of traffic.
$ikth,is the improved vehicularaccess; seven is improved,
and'I can sustain each of these if we need to. The improved vehicular
access is by taking the bus streets off of the streets and putting
them on the interior of the development, by providing off-street park-
ing spaces for loading and unloading passengers, awl for providing
other points of access through the system in order to accommodate the
traffic that has to be there:
Number seven, is improved pedestrian circulation by shortening
the walking distances. Typically in a development you have a front
door and a back door; in this area there is pedestrian access from
totally surrounding the project, almost totally surrounding the pro-
ject. And you've shortened the pedestrian walking distance, you've
improved the pedestrian access and this is an amenity that should
receive some credit.
Number eight, is the increased construction of desirable uses
in the area. If someone were to put the wrong use in this area, I
would be the first to object to it But the Downtown Miami Plan and
all of us who have been here for some time have recognized this area
to be a second major retail center in the city. And to have a de-
veloper come forth and to offer to improve and to increase the con-
struction'of these desirable uses in an area such as we're talking
about, then it is an asset to the area.
Number nine, is the provision of plaza areas and observation
decks for the hotel guests. Number ten, is the provision of facilities
for bus loading and unloading. Number eleven, is the provision of
multiple building entrances to enhance pedestrian movements within
the system.
And I can't go on without outlining for you specifically, even
though Mr. Amisano I believe has already done it, but specifically so,
you can remember it, the setbacks. Because we've heard so much about
the lack of setbacks in this area. My specifications ofthe site plans
show on Biscayne Boulevard a setback from the minimum of 15' up to 60',
Now, the existing setback on the existing Jordan Marsh building is
from a minimum of 20', I believe, to about 25', But that setback is
also current. In this case the setback at ground level is not less
than 15' and up to and including, and probably even exceeding, 60'
on the Biscayne Boulevard frontage, I believe laic, Amisano feels that
the distinction and the variation of setbacks along this level is
an architectural enhancement to the area rather than one of trying
to get out of living with certain conditions.
With regard to the residential development, you have the
setback on the north which is ad5fteeat to the Women' a diuh., of O'
We have a aetbaek an the west, which is tayshore 3rive, of 20' 8 They
Piave Offered a aetbaek art the aauth of 20' :, and they've offered a
setback, theplans reflect a setback on the east of W. And one 'et
these posters thaw the 25' walkway cuing the Bayfrortt and along the
east sale of this development which La a great enhancement here.
This doea give us the opportunity to connect this walkway
with walkways to the south and walkways to the north and certainly,
hopefully, to the park, which is just north of the %4omens' Olu' ,
Now, as far as usable open space is concerned, revisions
on this matter as late as today have provided and guaranteed over
73,000 square feet of usable open space. This will meet the rc:
tuirctients of the C-3 Ordinance for 810 units: Hut in addition to
that, I believe there is another fifty or sixty thousand square
feet of open recreational space at the 30' level; but you can't count
that, as you ladies and gentlemen know in the usable open space, you
only count 20% of that. So the developer has met the requirements
of over 73,000 square feet of usable open space and at the same time
an additional, fifty tO sixty thousand square feet of open in that
is indeed available. to the public, imply
calculation.
Now, for the last item that I'm going to say. I think one
of the finest, one of the best reasons for having confidence and
assurance that this project will be a benefit to Miami, it will in-
clude the kinds of amenities that we have been talking about, is
the architect. Mr. Amisano has a reputation that few others can
stand up to, if any. He is a fellow of the American Institute of
Architects. He has done successful projects before. I don't think
any of them go without the amenities that you and I would want.
I think his good judgement and his signature on this project is
the things that will assure you and I that it will be a quality
development. Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you Mr. Lucius Williams.
Mr. Watson: Mr. Chairman, at this time I believe Mr. Bonsteel
representing the Miami Women's Club would like to make a statement.
Mr. Martinez: Come right up, Mr. Bonsteel.
Mr. Bonsteel: Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board, I am
L. S. Bonsteel, member of the law firm of Smathersand Thompson,
and am counsel to the Women's Club
I came here for the purpose of objecting to this application
tonight, but because I represent - I think I'm the only one who
has spoken so far who represents an adjacent property owner who
will become a taxpayer this year in view of the amendment to the
laws. But my objection was based upon the application that had been
pending for the removal of all the setbacks and all the restrictions.
Now, in view of the fact that Mr. Hollo has come before you and has
made a statement here, which has been recorded, that they have amended
those applications, then 1 have no objection to the application that
the zoning be changed from C-1 to C-3, Although 1 am a little appre-
hensive about the taxes on the Women's Club, but 1 withdraw any,ob-
jection that we had at the 'V me 1 arrived here.
March 271 3972 Item #3
Mrs Mart.fiec: Ali right, thank you very much Mr. tonatttlt
Mr. Wataon: That oono1udes our presentation: I think we
have only one fled objection; there may besome other people wiah :ng
to speak but that: it our initial presentation.
Mr, Martihe2: Well, you asid you were going to have tome private:
citizens and actually we've had two gentlemen up, ,Mx, Lucius Wil1iama,
there, representing the Downtown Development Authority, which is an
organitatian and then Mr. Boneteel representing the Women's Club1
So, net private citi2en that liven in the area
- - ual�.y .if them is a ri
or anywhere within the City limits of Miami that wa:.tt to speak in
behalf of this, I'll give him.a few minutes to talk. Come right
up sir.
Mr. Washington: Paul Washington is the name; I live at 2248
N:.Wo 4th Terrace.
I first want to thank everyone here this evening for making
this an evening program, So often, if your a working man through
the daytime we miss out on this and no representation speaking for
or against. This evening I want to say, and I'm glad they fixed
that camera cause may wife will never believe that I was down here.
I do want to say one thing, I grew up in this town and I was edu-
cated here. I make my living here, and I think anytime that we
have an opportunity to let our city grow, we should give the ad-
vantage to these people who want to come here and give us the
I just want to say, it's something I look forward to. I'm proud
to show people that come and visit with me that this is my City,
and my City is growing and we have an opportunity of a young man
coming forth, and I've got to say this respectfully to this gentle-
men, that leads off in a tremendous program that we can't express
in words, that has been already expressed by people of knowledge
in the things that make the difference.
And, as a working man from the City, I'm all for it, let's
have more of it.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you very much. All right, Mr. Watson
we're goingto hear from the objectors if there are any, and then
we can come back to you for a few minutes of rebuttal.
Mr. Acton: My name is George Acton, I'm the Director of
the Planning Department, and I object. The Planning Board must
realize that --
Mr. Martinez: Excuse me, Mr. Acton, could the members of
your Staff take down these maps. Maybe they can turn them aside
and the public can look at them.
Actually, I was going to leave you for the last, you know,
Mr. Acton: I thought perhaps that we��-
Mr. Martinez;
here, I would like to
that wants to come up
Mr. Hendricks;
Mr. Martinez;
side here, sir;
Actually, I think in due respect tothe public
ask, if there's anyone in the, out in the public
and speak against this at this time.
Yes, we have an objection.
You have an objection? Will you use this
You Cant to hear the planning bepartment''a report first:
Okay
Mr. Silverman: I would like to hear the Planning Department's
recommendation because 1 believe it may expedite this hearing, rather
than having each of these objectors jut repeat what the planning
Staff may well recommend. t believe it would be in cur interest to
have the Staff make its recommendation first.
Mr. Martinet: All right, go ahead Mrn Acton.
Mr. Acton: M26 Chairman and Members of the tt and I'd like to,
if at all possible, put this hearing tonight it the proper framework.
You do realize that ,you are the, Planning and 2oninj Board sold that
you niust Drake a judgement based on exactly that, Good community
planning and zoning for the entire City.
l want to make it perfectly clear to both the applicant and
the objectors that the Planning Department is not against this pro-
ject. We never have said that we were against this particular pro-
ject, but only that this particular project should fit within the
framework of our established community objectives.
We have set forth in a report to the Commission the basic
objections that wehave with this particular project. Now, these
objections are somewhat modified by the changes that the applicant
has made in the project since we evaluated Plaza Venetia, but
nevertheless, our objections are based on the need for placing this
particular project within the framework of good community planning.
And for that reason we prepared a model of the entire area of the
Plaza Venetia project:
We wanted to show the Board, through this model, exactly how
this particular project would or would not fit within the framework
of its surrounding environment, and also the fact that the residential
project, you know,must reflect good community planning.
Now, tonight we've heard Mr: Hollo and his architect state
that they are willing to reduce the number of units in the resi-
dential area from a thousand to eight hundred and ten, which still,
means that they arefar above the number of units that were
recommended by the Planning Department.
Also they have, evidently,followed our recommendations
and those of the A.I.A. in - - allowing green
n all g open space to used
around the commercial development. Now, we can really analyze this
project by saying that the commercial' development occupies ten acres
on Biscayne Boulevard and the residential. project occupies five,
acres the Bay. The way _ u prt to the
CoZoning
the PlanningWandBoard; our
analyzedreport
Commission and"in thatreport we made
several recommendations. The recommendations simply stated that
the commercial project must incorporate open green spaces around the
foexterior of the building. At that time we felt that a commercial
project of that magnitude occupying, that much area would deny the
city the benefits that are to be derived by incorporating the project
into our overall community planning and hopefully integrating some
of the green open spaces that we value'' SO tremendously in Miami
around the commercial project.
Now, as l said before, the applicant has, evidently, in-
corporated that feature in the residential project. But 1 want you
to ta&e a looh at the magnimde of that map, the building and how.
it relates, or does not relate, to the surreufdifI environment.
MOW, it was, for thin reason that we felt that although the
floor Area Ratio of the commercial development exceeded the allow-
able by' 1.2, it still was te+o nia§eiVe without any type of setback
from the surrounding streets. But beyond that, 1 wait you to 'tame
a look at what ' e happened along the Bayfrant. Now, that's five
acres of land, and t.want to emphasite to thus Planning Board that
after a thorough density study of what other commanitiet are doing
in the Mate of Florida, we found that the mamimum allowed presently
ia.in Miami Beach which veryrecently out back from a density of,
1 believe, 200 or more to a maMimum allowed of 125,
Now, thin model shows what the project did 1mk like when
it was 200 units per acre, and it shows the tremendo.ts mass and
the tremendous bulk of that residential unit and how it completely
overpowers the Women' s Cltiib, the church next door, and also tie
adjoining apartments that have been built in our highest residential
classification, that of R-5.
Now, I want to show the planning Board what happens when
your arbitrarily reduce the bulk of the residential building , to,
say, half. In other words, if you were to follow the planning
Department's recommendation of one hundred units per acre, you know,
take a look and it's still very overpowering. We have to realize
this, you know, it's still very overpowering in relation to the
surrounding environment. But nevertheless, you have to realize
that the impact on the, surrounding. area, is not nearly as great
that the sun, the lack of light, that the higher development,
as illustrated before, the impact of that is somewhat modified by
less bulk.
Now, that's one of our objections; the fact that we didn't
feel that, especially along the Bayfront, that this development
was creating the kind of community objectives. that the City of
Miami should be looking for and accepting. We have to realize
when we're evaluating planning, in relationship to a project,
that it must: relate to the entire City and not to a particular
site. And if you'll recall, when you look back and saw what the
applicant submitted to you in terms of planning, the planning re-
lates only to the particular site and not to the entire community.
Now, we admitted in the report that we felt that the
commercial development incorporated many of the type of retail
activities which, would add vitality to the City of Miami; we're
certainly not against the provided retail, in the right way.
But we did not feel at that time, nor do we feel now, that. the
right vehicle to use to achieve this project is by a change of
zoning from C-1 to C-3.
Now, I want to point out to the Board that the commercial
project could be built under the existing C-1 Ordinance. It would
require variances. The same kind of variances that Mr. i ollo re-
quested and received on the R3.vergate project, in fact the Floor
tha.s commercial d
Area Ratio + of development nd�ti.cal . �h�y elop
t a the office dev
ment down in the ari.ckell area are almost .de are
3.3 and it wouldn't requir'e any type of variances besides a
variance for Floor ,area, Ratio,
We also in the report, said that the alternative to a C=3
Boning along the Bayfront was a request by the applicant of R-5
which would allow, a maximum number of units of ninety-seven as
opposed to the two hundred that he was requesting at that time, but
he could achieve ninety'eeven units per acre and have the type of
massing that you Pee on the modem now, you %now, through tie UPC
of variances.
1
tut, as you know, thin Panning bepartm+ nt never 'rec ►t tench
variances; for that t°oaeon We felt the beat 'way to achieve thin
was through the development tf the adoption of a planned develop-
ment ordinance Whe'h you heard during the laat Planning ward
sesaion. And t can't agree with the applicant that it would take
either thin Board, the Planning department, or the City Cott'Mianion,
you know, forever, to pass the kind of ordinance that would provide
the right kind of vehicle, in terms of both planning and toning, to
take aura that we get the right kind of developments for the City
of Mimi and get the right kind of conditions attached to. the toning
to rake sure that we get the proper kind of project.
if you, for instance, grant the C- toning on those parcels'
you will, its true, have certain control over the -only those sections
which he's requestinga variance for, tut as you know, you request
and receive a change of zoning, there are no strings attached. You
can submit the most beautiful plans or whatever else you want to,
and, once you get the zoning, your not bound by whatever you sub-
mitted for your application. At least through the variance route
you can attach conditions.
As I said, we didn't feel this was the right vehicle. We
felt that theproject should be submitted to a site plan review,
that it should incorporate the kind of community objectives that
are good for the City of Miami. And for that reason I say that
during the last Planning and zoning Doard meeting, we did submit
that Planned Development District for your consideration, adoption
and, hopefully, submission to the City Commission.
That, basically pretty well covers the comments that the
Planning Department has relative to this project. We do not feel
that C-3 is, the right vehicle. We do not feel that, although the
applicant has reduced the number of units from a thousand to eight
hundred, that it is going to give us the kind of residential de-
velopment that we are looking for and are entitled to in a city._
This basically,'I believe, covers the comments that the Department.
has on this
Mr. Martinez: Do you have anyone from Staff that wants to
make a comment at this time.
Mrs. Callahan: Yes. I would like to ask Mr. Acton while
he's up, did I judge that 485 apartments is what he could build
under the present zoning? Is that correct':
Mr. Acton. No. What I said --
Mrs. Callahan: You said 97 per acre? And five acres?
Mr, Acton:, No. What I said is that he would have to seek
a change of zoningfrom the existing C-1: to R-5 to accomplish 97
units per acre. Under the existing C-1 zon..ng, itrefers back
to R-C which allows 72 units per acre. And weagree that this ..
perhaps is not enough intensity in this particular location. What.
I did say is that under the R-5 zoning he could achieve 97 units
per acre.
Mrs. Callahan; 'l see.
Mx, Acton; But--
Mrs Callahan: tut it atill would take a change of coning.
Mr. Afton: It would take a change of oning and it would
require a number of varianeea to go along with it, But this does
give both the Planning and Zoning Board , and the Co riia aien the kind
of aasuranee that what is shown to both the Board and the Commiaaion
will be reflected in the final development.
Mra. Callahan: Thank you, Mr Acton.
Mr. Martinet: Thank you, Mr. Acton. Any of the Board
Members have any questions of Mr. Acton. Mrs. MoOrurier.
Mrs. Mcdranert Mr. Acton, you stated that you do have ob-
jections to the change of zoning from C-1 to C-3. Now, is that
because we have no apartments in the City that have been built
under C-37
Mr. Acton: No. Our objection is based on the fact that
the C-3 zoning, as was so pointedly pointed out by Mr. Williams, you
know, was designed for another . area in the core of the city of
Miami. in other words, it's a bad ordinance. We all realize that.
It allows lot line to lot line development, thirty stories in height.
That's what you can build tinder C-3
What we're saying is that this is not the kind of zoning
that should be placed on this property. It certainly, as we pointed
out in our recommendation to you, would be the largest example of
spot zoning in the City of Miami. You know, it's not at all in
context with the surrounding environment, and it would be for the
benefit of the property owner.
Mrs. McGraner: But this project could be built under C-1,
is that right?
Mr. Acton: What I am saying is the commercial project could
be built under C-1 with the variance for Floor Area Ratio. And he
could achieve the maximum density of 97 units per acre on the Bay
side under R-5.
Mrs. McGraner: Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: Mr. Burns.
Mr. Burns: Mr. Acton, if, putting aside the lack, of con-
trols that we'd have if we wereto pass itC-3, but just assuming
that . we have before us the project as ,it's now been reduced in
size and scope, have you done an economic study of that project.
So that if we were to take the developers concern and alsothe
statements of t
he architect and Mr. Lucius; Williams, what have you,
there has to be a certain intensity ofdevelopment beforeyou could
get out of the parking lot stage. Mr. Lucius Williams told us if
we didn't have something of this nature approved, we could look for-
ward to parking lots, as we currently have for some time. And' whale
many of your points might be good, we don't have here an option to
do everything that would he good. We have to consider this in the
economic reality with a weighing hack and forth.
And so, I ' m eoncea ed if you have weighed the economic .reality
so that when we are faced with a choice of either this project or
more parXing, which would have it's community impact, that we could
have, since you say you're against this intensity, l recognize that
while you're not against the pro eet., it may flat he eoonomioally
feasible to have,a praieat of this intensity and therefore you
won't have the proieet, you'll just have parking. do, I would
like to have a better understanding of the, amount of economic
study the Staff has done into the feasibility of a successful
center of a smaller scope.
Mr. Aston: The answer to your question is, not we have not
done an economic feasibility study of this particular project.
'you will note, that in the Planned Development Article,
that we submitted to you last week, that ih there vt had a pro.,
Vision for, requesting the developer for an economic feasibility
study, if it was felt it was needed by either the Department,
the Planning and Zoting.Doard, of the City CO mission.
In other words, we have not performed this, it is actually
up to the developer, you know, to give to the Department, the
Board and the Commission, you know, evidence of what he considers
to be an economic feasibility. We will be glad to evaluate this
if the applicant, you know, was to give to us an economic feasi-
bility study proving that he needed, you know, eight hundred and
ten units in this particular location. We haven't done this,
no.
Mr. Burns: Let me then take the given that we have.: If
we are faced with a choice of either this project as reduced or
further parking, if we believe Mr. Lucius Williams, that that's
the choice we'd be presented with, which would the Planning De-
partment recommend?
Mr. Acton: I can't answer that question at this time,
without doing the feasibility study, I just couldn't do it.
Mr. Dean: Do I get from your presentation that you are
saying that we should have acted on the Revised PD Ordinance first?
Mr'. Acton What I was suggesting to the Planning Board is
that, under the, best planning procedures, we felt it was very im-
portant to establish the right kind of zoning framework. So, that's
the reason last week we urged the Planning Board to pass on the
Planned Development Ordinance and submit it to the City 'Commission
for adthat wouldn't,nw ll ccompleteldisruptuthe existing
option so Plaza : Venetia processed
framework• completely P g..
zoning framework in this area. You've got to realize that it's
uniformly zoned for the most part, all the way down Biscayne Boule-
vard, in the entire area, basically its This gives you, this
map shows you basically the study outline of the Planned zoning
study "for the entire downtown area of the City of Mami, and also
shows to the Board the kind of existing zoning in that entire area.
And you'll notice that in the area above the Venetian Causeway,
that it's practically, you know, uniformly zoned,C-1 or R-5 or,
in the case of the Miami Herald, C 4. Butit's basically uniformly
zoned. There is no C-3, the C-3 is restricted south of the Port
entry; it's the proper location for it.
We don't think that, you now, we should be using a zoning.
ordnance which admittedly by the Planning Department, the Down-
town Development Authority, the Commission, and everybody else
that knows anythng about it, is a very bad, piece of zoning legis-
lation and we don't thin it would be proper or correct .for the
=:39= 'larch 27, .1972 _Stem 4t
1
City of Niami to UO6 the 0-3 Zoning Ordinanea in tha araa et the
Pima Venetia proSeet, It would be, amaotl r as I said before,
spot zoning,
Mr, Martina: Mr, Anton, I have a question. On tha
Ravi -tad PD Ordinance that were going to have later an here:
this project be built
Mr. Acton: 'des.
Mr. Martinez: Yes? And what would it take, would it
take variances
Mr. Acton: No.
Mx. Martinez: Noy A change of zoning?
Mr. Acton: No. It's up to the - this PD ordinance was
drafted so that the policy makers of this City could make the
actual determination. In other words, it's up to the - we,
as usual, come in with a recommendation on any particular project;
if this Board or the City Commission feel that they don't agree
with our recommendation, you know, they are free to make whatever
recommendation they want to; they are not bound by our recommendation.
But what I am saying to you, is that in the case of the Plaza Venetia
project it could be, you know, processed under the Planned Develop-
ment Ordinance and everything that the applicant requested last time,
or this time, could be accomplished if the City Commission felt that
it was best for the City of Miami.
Mr: Martinez: In other words, let me see if I'm straight'.
on this, today by theordinance we have presently, let's say if
they had the R-5 zoning in there, which they don't, they could
get 97 apartments per acre. But under this, you would recommend,
let's say, 80 apartments per acre, for instance in using numbers,
and we felt that 80 wasn't enough that 100 was more appropriate,
that we could give them and the City. Commission could give them.
Under this Ordinance that we're going to take up tonight.
Mr. Acton: The thing I'm saying is it's the same procedure
we currently use. In other words, we'll make the recommendation'
to you on a particular application,_ but if you don't agree with our,
recommendation, you make your recommendation to the City Commission.
They, in the end, determinepolicy andlegislation for us. It doesn
I say you - well, the City Commission is the policy maker.
Mr. Martinez: I thought all along tonight that we put
the cart before the horse, but it's too late now. Thank you sir.
Okay, we'llnow. State your name
hear from the objectors
and address, sir.
Mr. Hendricks; My name is Bob Hendricks, my address is
1441 S. W. 1st Street. I'tn a partner of the firm of Hendricks and
Hendricks, l represent Mrs, Ralph Allocca,, Would you come up
with me, Mrs. A11Qeoa
Before I begin my presentation may I have your permission
to as% Mr. Bo110 ;a question or two,
Mr,, Martinez; Mr, ' HQ11Q, are you c.oso to the mile, go right
.40. March 27 1972 Item
ahead.
t,
Mg. Lint: X think he has to addrets the ChOrMan
he hotl We hoUlc n't have baek and forth dialogue.
Mr. Martinet: Weld, Mr. Burns, lim the Chairtan and t
will oonduet., and i wii-1, 'grant that he tan &ek hits a que§tion,,
one 4deation, no debate.
Mr. Hendrioke: No, t don't intend to debate
Projected here of the wall we have -a diagram and, the property.
Bought to le rezoned is designated in yellow. Mr. Hol1o, do you
or your eorporatio awn the properties designate; in yellow?
Mx. Hol1o: i hold unity Of title all hut. a couple o lots
upon which l have a concrete contractual arrangement for,. sir
out 97°% of
•With Proper, roper, good ,faith deposits put up. koui�hly o
it - do I own, sir ►
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Hullo.
Mr. Hendricks: Now may I ask a question of one of the
Members of the Board.
M. Martinez: Go right ahead, sir.
Mr. Hendricks: Mr. Burns do you have any interest in the
property sought to be rezoned?
Mr. Burns: No, I don't:. I'm a little familiar with Mrs.
Allocca and her property, we spoke some - many years ago, as well
aware, at one time Iwas associated with the developer who tried,
to acquire the property and that's probably what you have reference
to.
Mr. Hendricks: Yes sir, it i
Mr. Burns It's probably why I have such familiarity with,.
the area and you are, in fact, correct. At one time I. did own some
property on 17th Terrace, but that propertyy was sold before I be-
came a member of this, Board and have not owned any property in
that area since.
But I'm glad that you brought that up because I wanted you
to know that it's important that wediscuss that
Mr. Hendricks: I wanted to clear that up. Thank you,
Mr. Burns.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Burns.
Mr, Hendricks: 1 have listened, as have all you gentlemen,
this evening to this plan, which I must admit sounds very nice. We
'nave outsta
nding architects who have designed
it, outstanding planners
But
who have participated in the planning.olike you gentle-
men and ladies to consider one thing, aside from the project and
aside from the zoning, and that is the right of 'private property
that's involved here.
l don't asks you to be a Court of l+4w, And I don't want to
ma%e a legal argument here to you this evening, but I would like
to as% you to leave the issues of law to the Courts, rather than
taking them upon. you Polvee to decide.
.41March 27, 1972 Item 40
Our client, Mrs. A .looca, acquired by Warranty teed, en
February 4, 1g44, a portion of Lot 1 of Block 14 of MIRAMAR and
Lot 4, Mock 2, of RICE AND SULLIVAN S i MVISION.
Mr. Martinet: excuse me, air, will you held it there are
they can point out what piece of land we're talking about.'
Mr. Nendrioks: The property is in the upper right hand
corner.
Mr. Martinet: The White on the map,
Mr. Hendrioka: lt's indicated in white. It's the only part
of this square . y, , evidently, Mrio11O doesn't o _ wn or doesn't
have under contract.
Now the conveyance to Mrs. Allocca provided that it was
"subject to all conditions, restrictions, 1-imitations of record,
effecting the lands. and any plat thereof."
Now, the Miramar Plat, which was on record sometime before,
provided that"the streets, avenues, drives, boulevards and alleys
are dedicated to the purchasers of lots, their heirs and assigns,
perpetually dedicated reserving them to the grantors, the reversions,
or reversion thereof should ever the same be discontinued by law."
Later these saute streets were dedicated to the public.
The Plat of Rice and Sullivan Subdivision provides that the
10' private easements, as shown, and these easements are not shown
here. I'd like to point them out to you. There is an easement
or alleyway across the (word could not be heard clear on tape) of
Lots 4, 5 and 6, running north and south. There is another 10'
easement running east and west across the height of the lots of
Miramar.
Our client has parking area on the back of her lot, she
has her residence, she also has an apartment building there. Everyday,
since 1944, I am advised, she uses this alleyway; well, it couldn't
be every day, but regularly - she says, everyday. Her son's business
is on, the back of the property and everyday this alleyway is used
which requires the use of 17th Street. Now, you are being asked to
close these streets and close these alleyways.
Now,"Rice and Sullivan Subdivision Plat provides a 10' private
easement as shown on the attached plat of Rice and Sullivan Subdivision
are bereby perpetually dedicated to the free use of all; owners of lots
in said subdivision and it is understood that said 10' private ease-
ments shall forever remain private property of the owners in the
Rice and Sullivan Subdivision."
Now, gentlemen, my father, Ben Hendricks, was to be here this
eYeni,ng but be was unable to come and I didn't know until the last
minute that I would take this hearing. But it is my understanding,
and Mr. Watson please correct me if. I'm mistaken, . that . there is . .
a pending Circuit Court suit in which we have filed an appearance
and are representing Mrs. Allooca see) ng to close these very alley-
ways and streets that you are being asked to close here this evening,
And I'm asking you to defer your ruling on the zoning and on the
streets, or refrain from ruling, in connection with this legal issue,
and Permit t2'e Courts to deci le whether or not Mx. Hello and hid
corporation is entitled to take these streets and this easement from
the public. I would ask you to 'defer your ruling on that basis.
I than you for your 'attention.
-42 March 27, 1972 Item #1
the
can
Mt. Martinet: Thank you, Mt. He idr .ti g t
Mr. Burnet Mr. Chairman -
Mt. Henofieka. Is there any gueatiann that you.,
Mr. Burns Yee. Mr. Hendrieia► doesn't that suit deal with
reversionary rights as opposed to actuaiiy. closing theta, which
only be done -
Mr. Hendricks: you'll have to direct that to Mr. Watson.
1' m not trying to beg off, but 1 have not read the Complaint. If
1 had known at even four o'clock this afternoon, that 1 would be here,
she irouit curt Suit: But I have not read
t would have studied the C�i�`cuit �e
the Complaint and am familiar ' with it. It was my understat ing
that this was seeking to close the streets. It may involve the
reversionary interest rather than the right of use of the public
or adjoining owners.
Mr. Burns: Was your client ever in negotiations on the sale
tio- _
of this property to these new developers.
Mr Hendricks: Mrs. Allocca, were you ever in negotiations
for the sale of this property.
Mr. Martinez Use the mike please so that we can hear.
Mrs. Allocca: No.
Mr. Martinez:
Wright.
All right. Mr. Silverman and then Reverend
Mr. Silverman: Is the City a party to this lawsuit as far
as you know?
Mr. Hendricks: As far as I know, I do not know. I haven't
read the Complaint.
Mr. Martinez: The City's a party of the suit?
Mr. Watson:: Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, I don't believe Mrs.
Allocca understood that last question because we have been in
negotiations with her.
Rev. Wright:. I was going
ago. Now, I would like to ask a
purchase, negotiate the purchase
to ask that question, a few moments
question did Mr Hollo try to
of this property from Mrs. Allocca,.
Mr. Watson: I'll let Mr.,Rollo answer.
Mr. Hendricks: May 1 amend Mrs. Allocca's answer.
Rev, Wright; I'm asking Mr. Hollo.
Mr. Martinez; Please, he's asking Mr. Rollo, then we'll g
back to you Mr. Hendricks,
t
Mr. Hollo; Mx. Chairman, honorable Aoar_cl, ladies and Gentle-
men, I must state _here that, although 1 am very reluctant to say, the
opposite of what a lovely lady like that is saying, but we asked for.
a pricv on her property. Her property, not what it's valued in the
tax, which is about, l think, 4,000. We feel the fair mar) et value
-43- March 7, L972 Item #3
of her property is $1'00,006. % asked her for a pried, and that,
I believe, oonatttutes negotiat :ant, and the said try, pride £g
$424 0001 it's firm aid you will have to define to me. Thank you.
Mr Martinet t M`. Hendricks.
Mr, Hendrieks : l am advised - evidently,
not understand the questioh.because she has just
Hallo and my dad discussed a prospective sale of
when you asked had she been in fie[ otiatiOns, she
not understand the question.
Mts. 14ii de a did
told Me that Mr,
the property. 86
, evidently, did
Mr. Martinet Thank'you, Mr, Hendricks.
Mr, Hendricks: We have discussed a sale, but did not
Come to terms,
Mr. Martinez: Okay, sir. Thank you,vety much. We've
'clarified their on that.
Mr. Hendricks: 'Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: All right, neat.
Mr. Reed: Good evening,, I'm George Reed,. I'm an architect
in Coconut Grove.
I regret that the president of the Florida.South Chapter of
the American Institute of Architects is unable to be here this evening,
Mr. Steve Little. He has asked me to appear in his behalf and on
the Chapter's behalf to discuss with you some viewpoints that the
Chapter has regarding this particular application.
Myself and many, many members of the Chapter view the promise
of this particular development, of this Plaza, with a great deal
of enthus
iasm when it was first learned about, but since that time
i
it has come to a tremendous disappointment toarchitects of the
community and.I hope here, this evening, that I'm able to describe,
to you some of the feelings that the architects have had.
The ExecutiveCommittee of the Chapter has written a statement
regarding this project and are presently conducting; a vote of each
and every member, so that it might go beyond the empowerment of the
Executive Committee to express the Chapter's feelings.
The statement, and I quote, is "We were pleased to have the
opportunity to meet with the owners of the proposed Plaza Venetia
project and with Mr. Joseph Amisano (and members of; his architectural
staff) to review the design concept for this project.'
As you are aware we have been gravely concerned over the rapid
deterioration of some of the critical areas of our city in recent
years. Members of our Chapter have, for the past two to three', years,
participated actively in the creation of zoning laws for Miami which
would require developers to preserve a maximum of those natural
amenities - particularly open spaces and native vegetation along the
bayfront - ,which are so essential to the vitality and quality of Miami,
while enabling them to profitably develop their property,, l might
add that during this process, we enlisted the support of many of the
property owners in and near the downtown area who realized that these
zoning objectives would help to preserve the value of their property
ae wall as the quality of life in our city.
-44- March 27.,. 1972 Item *3
A review of the concepture a§a Venetia revealed that
the fouler§ intend to have a developed deneity of three to four Uimen
that which is allowed under the prevailing §oning for thie property,"
That figure, of tour§e, is §object to Some alighteveryic even-
ing as we've heard. "'they aim intend to ever y portion
open
ground with buildings with a massive proportion of the latter con-
centrated immediately on the water'§ edge - both of which are contrary
to the. toning on the eastern portion of their property. They plan,
also, to cover two city streets - More than two acre§ of u licly
owned land - witht-hese structures. And 1 would
coback
to that point shortly.
"While we have the utmost respect for NW. Atmisano and for
rahit
professiinal competence, we submit that these puns reflect a
tant
disregard for those planning objectives which We and stated heifttCityrof Miami
Planning Department have sought and which a
Development Review Board Resolution which was passed by the Miami City
Commission last year.
You will recall that several of our members, who were present
at the meeting with the owners and architect, stated that
hey were
delighted when they first heard of the plans for thisp �tto the project.
mention this to reiterate that we are in no way opposed
We feel strongly, however, that it can and should be planned and con-
ceived in a manner which respects and preserves our City's most valu-
able and cherished assets. Inasmuch as the coowners siaare
regusestin5 the
g
much from the City - in the form of zoning
use of tangible and valuable public property - then we, as citizens,
have the right and the duty to demand tangible assurances that the.
public interest shall be responsibly protected.
The plans for the Plaza Venetia project are somewhat nebulous
and sketchy." At least those that we were presented
were
enquite "When
sketchy, three sheets, lined drawings, very quickly presented.
we attempted to learn something more definitive about certain, aspects
of the proposed structure, we were told by the architect that it wasn't
possible to be more specific at this time due to the
fact: that
ttheupro-
gram had not been clearly established. We were to by
drawings would, however, take into account the preservation of some ;of
the amenities which we had discussed. When we asked t e rchiaCommission
tectnd
the owners if they would be willing to submit to the y
revised drawings showing in sketch form more specifically how they in-
tended to use this property, we were told that they
did not
tifeel the
y
could afford the cost or time delay which such detailed ng
ould
entail. They also, indicatedan unwillingness to invest that much more
money in design until their property was rezoned." These are things
that you have heard many times before.
grposition It is regretable the owners have taken the p ition in this
negotiation with the City, that they must have every legltassunce that`.
their , every wish will be granted whi,�.e on the other handprop
the City of Miami. must take "Pot Luck" and 4ccept whatever concessions,
if any, they .(the owners) may choose to give in the future. We cannot
endorse this blank check which the City is asked to write. To enter
into such a one-sided contract would be extremely imprudent for
them ndoto
City considering the dangerous precedent which it s
impact which it will undoubtedly have on the future of zoning in Miami.
Inasmuch as the owners, for reasons of thdx own, ere not prepared
to wait until the character of their project is sufficientlys eistablish
wed
to enable the City Commission to exercise intelligent judgmentth
-45- March :27, 1972 Item #3
matter, we must urge that the Miami City COMmissLpn withheld all eon=
eessione to the developer until tiid letter den present evt'enee - before
the COMMissien or through the dity's Urban Development Aevidw Deard -
suffia ent to guarantee that the City will receive good value in ex
change for the valuable assets which it must give up,"
This was as of teen or eleven days age, tonight we ere p:eae&ntiy
surprited to see additional drawings. The arehitects have always stood
prepared to review any drawings for a project of this scope. l thin
that offer still stands; I know that the Chapter would be more than
agreeable to reviewing these particular drawings.
Of course, we aie still tot anxious to see the C-3 Zoning per-
petuated'anywhere. And l think that Mr. Acton has stated well that
this would be the most blatant spot zoning in the history of the City..
And, especially, we would not like to,see the C-3 toning aloncy the
Bayfront. Now that we're beginning to describe a Bayfront consistent
with the community such as our own, it seems it would be a backward
step now to place C-3 zoning along the eayfront.
The Sayfront developmentshould, of course, be something
special. And we know that there aremany people thinking in terms of.'.
purchases of certain property and the valuations that are concerned
in other areas of the Bayfront, and this may be a precedence that
we would not like to get into. I' believe there will be someoneto
speak to you shortly about that.
Sven the merchants on Flagler Street aren't happy with their
C-3 zoning. We see them complaining everyday about the kind of room
and space they have; and we're being asked to change it, plant trees,
make special shopping pavilions. It's important, I think, to realize
how much land the City is being asked to give in the form of City
streets for this particular project.
I really feel quite indignant when a person comes and asks
for this sort of public give-away takes place, that is, without
compensation, as I understand it. It is my impression that that
land is worth about ten dollars an acre, as much as ten dollars
an acre, perhaps more if this zoninggets changed. And we're
talking in the terms of $565,000 give-away by the City of Miami in
the area of the streets alone. Quite a bit of money. And all this
is to permit the developer to increase his income and. his saturation
and answer his feasibility study and permit him to proceed with the
project.
There has been one other statement which has been repeated
many timesthisevening and, I think, should be responded to. We have
heard from people who are supposed to be knowledgable, that when this
project takes place it will help the poorhomeowners save on the taxes.
Perhaps, many of you read in the, Miami Herald of February the 9th a'
statement, an editorial written by Nicholas Von Hoffman entitled "Sav-
ing San Francisco - a case history" He describes that,"Since the
beginning of time that planners and eoonomiats have •quoted, "build
more buildings, get more taxes, save the City," In San Francisco
a group of thirty people, including economists, architects, planners
and many citizens, teamedup to see if they could find out what the'..,
reality quality would be having followed this best advice, build more
high buildings, And they found out, that is build in the cities down-
town, they found out that After looking over the tax rolls, the
Government Budget, the numerical flow that comes Out of modern ad-
ministretien, they found out. that San Fronci§ce'P skyscrapers, and it
has mere than any other city, than New York .or Chicego, are deStreyin9
the economy of an Franei5co, "Far from adding to the tax base., and
I quoit., ''they &At the pity five million more a year to setvioe
than they . bring ire, nor doe§ den grand .a o profit indirectly, the
suburbanites who work in the new highrieea shop where they live
rather than in the city, to there a no sale§ tax revenue." And
he proceed§ ti5 describe in great detail, and there'§ a book Written
whieh you may be i.ntereated in reading whi.eh is oallec The Ultimate
tiighrise, how highrisee are de troying eities.
So, l think it's time we stopped examining every applicant
who wants to develop a piece of property to its utmost, on the basis
of hia doing .us'a favor. He's not doing,ua a favor, he's costing the
city money, real money, more money than these stree. closures cost.
i developer's bbjeoti'tf�� S. Ol_ riout terms, ped-
estrian we :listen to the
' es. � �
estrian access, vehicle access, link to exp y
s service links,
controlled egress, transit links. I didn't hear one thatdidn't
help him, not oate that wouldn't make his investment enhance, cause
him to save his own soul in this congested jaming of this particular
property by jutt surviving, getting people and trucks and cars and
garbage in and out of that property.
Certainly, this is not a Rockefeller Plaza we're being asked
to consider here. 4e don't have pedestrian level access with fountains
and gardens, as they do at Rockefeller. We do have a thirty and forty
story base building that covers the entire property.
Say, pittance
setbacks as we've heard described to us this evening. It's not
Montreal, it's not American gold, it's just not any of the things.
we've been told.
I think it takes a good hard look by you people here this
evening with a little viewpoint, different from that of the developers,
and different than that of the people that glory in it being developed.'
And I would like to add that we discussed the survival techniques that
it takes the city, of our own city, and what our long-range objectives
will be, should be, must be, not only on Plaza Venetia, but many other
places along that bayfront and downtown, in order to be a viable city
in the future.
I would suggest that this property be turned back to the.
developer. Perhaps the Planned Development that's been mentioned
would be a suggested way out. Perhaps it should be zoned less in-
tensely. Certainly, it should not be C-3. Thank you very much.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Reed. Yes, Mr. Burns.
Mr. Burns: I would like to ask the last speaker one question.
Mr. Martinez: Mr. Reed.
Mr. Reed: Yes, excuse me, I'm sorry,
Mr. Burns; Yes, I have just one question. Whereas it's the
first time I've been made aware of this concroveray and I'd appreciate
some enlightenment,
If we take the existing property and tax it as parking lots,
it will generate 'x' dollars in tax revenue and ' x' dollars in expenses
for the City to take care of it, if we build upon it a project: of this
scope you'll increase the tax base and you'll increase your seises,
but 1 can't imagine how we're going to end up In a deficit posture from
the City's point of view, from a tic revenue versus tax cost as you
suggest, Now, I wonder if you could be specific as to which City
oery -ges that will have Ur be supplied to this project that'll be
oo expensive that it will outstrip the added revenue that'll be generated
by this additional tax base
-47- March 27, 1972 Item #3
Mrs Reads Sir, I'd like to do 'hatter than that, I'd like
to have a copy of this meek sent to yeu and you can enumerate far
yourself a parallel in San Pranoitee. It's not one eerviee, it's
every service.
I think that we're being tubjeoted to scar+-taeties this
evening. Wye heard this many timer. Every developer says take
this or --
Mr. Burns: It's not the scare-taoties ao much, at frankly
I was under the apprehension, under the belief, that you would in-
crease your tam base at a faster rate than you would increase your
services
Mr. steed: Untrue.
Mr. Burins: And - well, 1 don't have the book available,
and I just thought --
Mr. Kalil: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Martinez: Yes, Mr. Kalil.
Mr. Kalil: I would like to ask Mr. Reed
Mr, Reed, I am a developer, not on this large a
a parcelofproperty in the City of Miami large
project of this type without street closures is
not?
something else, also.
scale, but to find
enough to build a
impossible, is it
Mr. Reed: I don't think that's a fair question. I don't
think that's true. I think it is possible to find it.
Mr. Kalil: There isn't. Then you don't know the City of
Miami very well.
Mr. Reed: I don't see any reason to do this. I think there's
a chance to use those street openings to get access and view through
that property.
Mr. Kalil: But they go to nowhere.
Mr. Reed: If you were to stand on this particular site that
was shown to you by Mr. Acton and place yourself at, eye level, you.
would be appalled at what happens with those street closings taking
place.
Mr. Kalil: I've seen - I also am on, the Street and Plat
Committee of the City of Miami, I don't just serve on this Hoard..
This street,l7th, and the other street
s don't go to anywhere, ex-
cept into Bayshore Drive.
Mr. Reed: The opportunity is there, the man has the oppor-
tunity, He's assaulting the property and it's a great`. chancefor
him to make something out of it
Mx, Kalil; But he can't make anything out
to split it up,
Mr, Reed: Wrong.
f it ifiles.got
-46- March 27 # 1972 Ire . 0
Mr Martinez r All right, let's not hake any debates,
Mr. Burns: ty the way, Mr. Martinam, I would like to say to
Mr, Reed that I do appreciate the kind offer. hope he was serious
about it. My office is in the tiseayne tui1ding, suite 1406 and i
would like to review a copy of --
Mr, Reed: The position your in, you must.
Could I retention one other thing'? There are a number of archi-
tects here this everting Who feel quite the tame way and I would like
to recognize them.
Mr. Martinez: Yes, sir, you go right ahead.
Mr. Hinckley: My name is Gregg Hinckley. I live at 3601
Solana Road in Miami, and by my attire I c n't have: well, anyway,
just an average citizen, so not too much weight.
This project reminds fie of Mr. Oottlieb's shopping center
on 32nd Avenue and U.S. #1, Zayre's. And it Was, to my knowledge,
the only time that there was, something granted without the - well,
he said he would do all sorts of things, and he never did. But,
because of continual harassment, he finally did a few things, put
up a fake Mansard roof, and all.
And, I think that you should look at the developer and the
existing projects he has done. Now, when you drive by 836, and all
the tourists when you leave Miami - from the Airport to Miami Beach,
they go by the Center House. And Juanita Greenebad an article on
various structures like this. It's a highrise, near Jackson, in the
Civic Center. And, in the Herald article she quoted the architect
who said, well, I didn't know this would happen, I just - I'm sorry.
But, I wish you all would look at it, I think you might know
the building. So, you should keep that in mind, the track, record
of the developer and you are not committing him to anything.
The parking ratio, I don't know, but I heard tonight about
ingress and egress and everything was great. Well, I wish you would
get a recommendation on this from the traffic engineers' and also if
the parking ratios are adequate. Are they adequate in the City of
Miami, especially when you compare them to parking ratios for apart-
ment houses in any other governmental body, I believe, in Dade County.
And, you should check with the Urban Land Institute to see what their.
parking ratios are for shopping centers, and is this adequate and
whexe are they going to park if they don't have anything.
Look at Dadeland Shopping Center. Now, their exposure on.
their arterial street, there is much greater .in much more ingresses
and egresses, but as you know, the traffic does pile up at times, And
I.thi.nk that in relation to the square footage, they have, much more
ingress and egress in relation to theproperty there in this proposal,
And, now I'm getting down to why I came. It's irrelevant on
you all because you aren't politicians, but there was a bond issue
passed a few weeks ago in relation to parka. Now, approximately 37 , 6%
of this bond issue of thirty-nine million, eight hundred and ninety
thousand is for Mr, Ball or '.N.','s property between the seaport and
6th $treet. 3ayfront Park, r'Aw, It has the identical zoning, C-1, as
the subject and I think that you should speak to the City Attorney in
reference to this before you make a decisiono
I think that it's going to be vtry difficult to take this
thirty.,foul and a half acres of Cal toning that yoti allocated
fifteen million dollars or ten dollars a square foot for., you will
have very much problems if you do permit this to happen to this
site nearby, because Mt, td Ball is going to get a reasonably
competent condemnation attorney and appraiser, and .you aren't going
to get that land for ten dollars, and it may use up thewholt forty
million dollars, in the bend issue and 1 don't think that we're going
to get any neighborhood parks. And l.wish that you would ask the
City attorney about the - if this might apply to this condemnation.
Thank you very much.
Mr, Martinez: Thank you, sir. Mr. bean wants to ask you
a question.
Mr. lean: You said we weren't going to get no parks?
Mr Hinckley: Well, yes. I really think so and I'll spell
it out to you after the meeting, but basically it is this, of the
forty million dollars, almost forty million dollars, there is some.
land on Biscayne Bay, downtown, that I don't think anybody's going
to use, or let's say, the average person isn't going to get there,
and that totals 22.5 trillion dollars out of the forty million. If
they can get it at what they hope to get it for. The eight and a
half acre tract between Dupont Plaza and Bayfront Park, they're
hoping to get at lower than the assessed value, which is ridiculous
because they haven't protested their assessment and when - there
has been a condemnation of the Junior College downtown, and the.
condemnation for the tracts were two to three times the assessed
value. You may wind up using half of the forty million dollars to
take the 8.43 acres on S. W. 2nd Street and Biscayne Boulevard.
Now, you have thirty four and a half more acres that Mr. Ed Ball is -
your going to condemn from him and if this is granted, I think they
are going to have an awful problem because thoselawyers are going
to use this because it's identical zoning to the subject, it will
increase the value to his property.
And I really don't think - and Mr. Reese also isrecommending
to take the land first and this is up in the air, right now. If they
take the land first, I don't think there's anything left over for
the parks.
Mr. Martinez: What is your occupation, sir?
Mr. Hinckley: I'm an appraiser.
Mr. Martinez: You know, I made a suggestion when we had
the lawyers program, to Mr. Ed Ball, that maybe he should be
generous enough and donate that land to the City. I think that.
he had done very well in this State and in the interests he
represents; I think if everybody here wrote him, maybe we could
really guarantee that we have parks.
Mr. Hinckley: I think you're being facetious and I think
he's going to take the whole forty million period,
Mr, Dean; We'll get those parks, Sir
p Mr, Martinez; Th an% you very much for your comments, sir,
!
Mr. Panaoast : Ladies and tend men, t am appeasing tonight
at an elected Member of the,EltedniVe board of the`Amerioan Insti-
tute of Arehitedts, also a rneMber of your own Urban Review toa rd,
and One of what Mr. Tibor Menlo described as "the few arohiteets
against this pro jeet". 1 haven't 'met one who's for it.
I haven't met one who's for it because, frankly, most of
them haVen't saen it. And even those of us who were on the Review
Board haven't seep it, because we were not in your seats tonight
as it wag presented. Some of these changes came about as late as
this afternoon, we've just been told, and we Call well believe it.
We are happy, in fact, that: the parts of the changes that
have happened, that were a part of our suggestions to the developer,
who spoke so disparagingly to us on his chances of corning up 0 th
any improvements before this hearing, I think, at leaet, that re-
view had some effect on this proposal. I'm very glad it did. I
think, however, the review is not complete, the review hasn't really
happened..
The number of people who are objecting are objecting on
what was going on two weeks ago because that's the nature of: the
momentum of these things. And I think that intelligent review trust
be a part of anything as momentous as this, project. We are all for
it in concept. We would like the City of Miami to revitalize along
very intelligent lines. If we had the choice of revitalization
along unintelligent lines we certainly would be against it.
This does not suggest any lack of faith in Mr. Amisano, that's
been expressed endlessly tonight, and I certainly echo that. But I
think that it's important that intelligent review be part of this
process for the next few things that come up within the City of Miami,
as well as this.
We are, all of us, increasingly aware of legal precedent and
what it means in these matters. If we carry through with intelligent
review of some kind, now, even though we don't have planned develop-
ment procedures fully worked out, when we' do work them out, the courts
will allow them to still be apart of the process. If we don't adhere
to it tonight, a court will say that any kind ofpolitical caviar can
change the zoning in the City of Miami, it's as simple as that.
Consider, for example, = the Bayfront parcel 'alone.., It's been
presented asa'contiguous ,part of the plan of the commercial block
further inland. A court, however, which doesn't have the training
which many of us do, can look at this thinganyway it pleases. And
if the neighboring properties along the Bayfront decided to get the
same, quote, relief, unquote, as this property was given, all well
meaning by this Board thinking of it as a total entity, it could have
gright
very damaging consequences and run down the Bay.
I think that legal precedent issomething that we're all
very much aware of, My friends here tonight have asked me, am
I for this project, How can I possibly answer them even now, having
now had this presentation, Why do we as architects have some special
right to review these projects? Weld., we don't, we really don't
We haven't, even yet, been invited into , a process, in terms of planned
development in the city of Miami, And I agree with the people earlier.:.
here who said that process is late in being developed, 1 agreewith
that, I thin% it's late, however, that is the gage, and the legal
precedence that we set, perhaps beginning here tonight, nay haunt us
for a great many years,
f wOuid auggett that the committee which rat before,, le willing.
to ttett again, and on very ehort notices And it this partioular taard
wanted to eet.up a.meetingwithif another week, we could have reviewed
.
thie project and come upWith our opinions. You might or might not
E61i.05w our vitiate, that ie perfectly underetandable, tut at least, you
would have the availability of some ob `eetive Oinions other thaithese
of the Mayor and a'good many politicians who, underatandabiy,.wait thiA
to happen
Wire with then, tut we want it to happen very well.. Our
lob_is qualifying things and making them good. Their job ismakinz
things happen.
I hoe we don t, in this.dase, get ntoosA osition where we.�re•
p ` "oncern over Whether
SO anxious to snake something happen tha
it happens weii. 'Thank you.
Mr. Martinez:
for the record,
Excuse me, would you give your name and address
Mr. Pancoast: ?es, Lester Pancoast, S370 Mary Street.
Mr. Martinez Mr, Pancoast, I have a question. Have you seen
the Planning Department's revised PD Ordinance?
Mr. Pancoast: Yes, I have. I received it three days ago. I'm
very interested in it. I have not had a chance to study it carefully,
I glanced quickly through it and was horrified to see that it would
be the Board that I'm on that would be doing the review. Because I
can see that the duties of that Board could multiply endlessly, as we
try to get more intelligence into zoning. The business ofhaving zoning
separate life into separate categories is very damaging and very much
with us in this. And the urge to put life back together again by re-
structuring zoning along intelligent lines is very much, and should be
very much, in front of our minds.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you very much. Is there any questions?
Mr. Burns has a question.
Mr. Burns: Mr. Pancoast, I am a lawyer and I share your concern
with legal precedent, however, I am somewhatimpressed by the fact that
17th Street is the northern boundary line of the Downtown Development
District; are you aware of that Mr. Pancoast?
Mr. Pancoast: I am aware of it. I'm not sure that most judges
are aware of it, orwould care.
Mr. Burns: Well, I guess we won't sit as judges', tonight, but I'
think that makes a significant difference myself, and I'm sure the record
would reflect that any action this Board took would be, considering this
is in a special taxing district, called the Downtown Development District,'.
which treats property within it with .a'different eye than property lying
further to the south which has been slated for parks, forexample and
further to the north.
40 The other thing 1 was going to ask you about is, these gentlemen
have read into the record a letter from a Mr. Herbert . Johnson who appears
to be a leading architect in this community, are you familiar with Mr,
Johnson,
Mr, Pancoast; Yes, I am.
-52- Mach 27, 1972 Item #3
Mr. Burnt: hoes he Alt on any of these boards or panels or
associations that your a member. o
Mr' Pane0ast: I think he uged to,
He hasn't been very active.
it lately.
lvir
Burns: l se. Thank you.
don't think ha
s done
Mr. Martinez: Mr. Harvey ttuvtn, would you l:ke.to Loris ups
Mt.
Ravin: My name is Harvey Ravin, 1 V V 1 M. I'm here
tonight for the Tropical Audubon Society and have listened to the
presentation which was quite large in scope and certainly congratulate
Mr. Iloilo and Mr. Watson andMr. Amisano in their presentation here
tonight
And I also have to say that this is probably the most
voluminous and bad single project that I've n prsented at one
, ever see
time to a Board. And t certainly don't envy you the job of having.
to receive all of this information tonight and evaluate it and make
a decision.
I would, like to try to evaluate more fully the specific
plans and therefore would certainly not be in a position tonight to
make specific objections to the plans. And we would be happy to
take the time and to review them as Mr. Pancoast and the A.I.A. have
suggested.
I want to first of all say that the Tropical Audubon Society,
and I'm sure that's true of all our many organizations in South Florida,
are (next words blurred on tape)for revitalizing the downtown area and,
I think that probably you're not going to find too many people that
would oppose that concept. It's just a matter of definition that
counts.
I. heard from.
And what I think Mr. Acton, from Mr. Reed, from
Mr. Pancoast, would express my feelings that revitalization must
take place within the concept oftotal good community planning, as
Mr. Acton referred to it, or comprehensive planning, orthetotal
picture for the whole city because everything does effect everything.
And we would ask that any project be reviewed on the base of
the total picture, the total impact on the community. And when you.
bend - at your previous meeting, you bend at the, wheel at your
shoulders, start the effort towards a Planned Development Ordinance.
I. think this is a tremendous encouragement to the communityand to -
and direction on your. part.
I think it would makea lot more sense than knee-jerk reaction
for each request that may come along for a re -zone. Mr, Amisano said
a lot of interesting things tonight, One thing that he said, that
he prefaced his remarks with thatcaught my imagination very much,
.1i` he said that he wanted to make sure that you all knew that what he
was doing with thisproject is throwing an anchor onto an existing
system, One that came before Plaza Venetia and one that was built'
by other people. well, I think that's very true and T think that
there is a burden on anybody that comes into an area, but I thin%
you also have to realize that thew are gong to be otherpeople
mining along, and t1'ere are going to be other people throwing their
anchors on also onto this sys-en, and how many anchors can we take
without sinking. I thank there certainly la a limit,
-'� � Nas oh ,!7, 1972 Itorn
NOW, Mr. &drha, you may laugh, but I heard you sugges at ore
that cur'choice is parking lots erthis
Mr. gums: too, I didn't suggest that was the choice.
Mr. ftuvin t Well, that may be your choice, you said. And
based upot1 that ohoide I don't think you shouldeontider it as
choice between that. I think it should be s► choice, really, between
whether your going to go ahead and take a project and try to fit
the gone laws to that project, or whether your going to try to coM-
piete the lob on planned Development and to fit eaeli project in
the concept as a total plan.
Now, what we would say to you tonight it this, that we would.
be for deferral - we would be for your defer g action tonight until
you can properly process the Planned Development Ordinance. And t
really think what is the heart of this is this,you're being told
you must act tonight, the requests for Variances, it seemed to me,
was conditioned upon acting tonight. Don't let any thing - any pro-
ject that can't wait may not be good enough and may not be worth
waiting for. So this would be our stand at this point. We'd be
happy to review the plans at anytime, get with the Board or the
planning Department in any phase of this processing of this project.
Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Ruvin. Question Mr. Burns?
Mr. Burns: I just thought,I would explain to: Mr. Ruvin my,
chuckle, I thought it was rather clever the way you corrupted the
architect's suggestion that he would anchor -in and thereby he was
e trying to suggest that he would tie-in with an existing theme, not
that he was weighing down something to sink the City, and I just
thought it was kind of clever the way you twisted it there.
Mr. Ruvin: Well, Mr. Burns, let me say something to you.
I think youdon't really understand what he was saying, because what
he was saying, and this is something that every one of us should
have sympathy, for any developer and I don't look at a developer
who's coming here to rape the land or coming here necessarily to
wear a black hat - Mr. Hollo is going through all types of tortures
and poisons and feelings and emotions and having to come into a
system and play the game as our current zoning pattern without
Planned Development Ordinance has, is a torture. Because he's got
to come in and try to fit himself, andI think that'swhat was
really being said before. However, I would like to ask Mr. Amisano,
isn't that really: what you were saying? That when you come into
an area and you feel --
Mr, Martinez: Please, sir, you're asking a question, I
conducting this meeting and ask questions through me
Mr. Ruvin: All right, Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry,
Mr. Martinez I have a question of Mr. Wright.
Rev. Wright: Now, Mr, Ruvin a$ Chairman of thiP Avar-d, I must
defend the Members of this Board; when you spoke about Mr. Burns'
chuckle, well, I isn't see him chuckle. l know that big chuckle
was not in any reference, 1n a bad manner toward you or any One in
this room. Mr, Burns is an attorney, and he's a very good oils, as
you are, And we have a great respect for. the McMbers of our Board
and for the members of our Planning Staff and our 1xecut ve Secretary.
Thank you,
March 27, 1972 It m #3
Mr. Ma tine : Thank your
Anyone else in obieot bnis t i
in obieatiof'? Being none:, we go
Rev, Wright! I'd like to
ask Mr. Watson a question.
Mr. Ruvin, for your presentation:
ire anyone else that wants to speak
!IOW tO rebuttal to you, Mr, Val,§en.
asks Mr. Chairman i I'd like to
Mr. Mart ndt : Mr y Matson, Reverend Wright wants to ask a
question.
reve Wright: : NOW, we have a memorandum here f rots Mr: La saw,
And I'm.going to read this to you, and l'd like you to ahswer this.
"plans for the Plata Venetia Complex were reviewed by the
Off- Street Parking Board at our meeting today. Due to -the fact that
information was missing conderhing the site of the stalls, exists,
entrances, driveways, etc., the toard was not in a position to pass,
a' resolution. 'Action was deferrei until we receive' completed plans . ";
Have yoti made complete plans yet in reference to the parking,
the size of the stalls, exists, entrances and so -forth?
Mr. Amisano: As far as the --
Rev. Wright: It's from the Department of Off -Street. Parking.
Mr. Amisano: With them, particularly?
Rev. Wright Yes.
Mr. Amisano: No, we have not. You mean, actually submitted to
Rev. Wright: Pardon me?
Mr. Amisano: You mean actually submitted the plans to the
Off -Street Parking committee?
Rev. Wright:
Yes.,
Mr. Amisano: No.
Rev. Wright: Thank you very much..
Mr. Martinez: Go ahead, Mr. Watson.
Mr. Watson: In rebuttal, I'd like to take half' of it and
let Mx. Hollo take half, if that's all right with you.
Mr, Martinez: Just try to be brief.
Mr. Watson: We'll try to make it as short as we can. I" just
made a few notes. I want to tell this Board this, that we wouldn't
be here unless we'd made an economic study of this project. We have
cut this project to the bone by making the concessions that we have
today,
This property stands undeveloped now largely, we're In a
position to develop it. If we defy, and I want to maXe this clear,
it's a big statement, but if we run into deferrals and delays for
planning, study, study, study and planning, we would rather have
that; Board deny the application than defer it.
.55R March 37, 197:2 Its # 3'
In rebuttal to Mr steed, i think he quoted some article in
the Miami Herald, 1 would = I'm sure thin board real3.2ea, as 1 read
it, the Miami Herald La at authority, they have apeeif .pally approved
this projects He taika about, take a good hard look at this project,
people otherthan the developer. Well, ladies and gentlemen, there
are a lot of people that are other than the developer that we have
brought down here, that have eore down here on their own mid have sent
in 1ettera,.that are people other than the developer, that have taken
a good, hard look at tie project, and they're in favor of it.
Mow, 1 want to make another statement. If you approve this
project tonight,well, we will do this anyway, then we will give the
r3_,ec
City of Miami a recordable instrument, a Covenant Running with the
Land, that we will develop this project substantially in accordance
with the plans we have here tonight. Now, that stands, one way or
the other.
As to the gentleman that is an appraiser, I do, a little.,
condemnation work every once in 'a while, and 1 want to tell. this Hoard,
at least in my opinion, that as far as values of property are concerned
by Mining, the property, values of property are more or .less ,setas
to the last recent sale; and Mr. Rollo has concluded the purchase of
most all of his property and whether it's zoned C-1, C-3 or whatever
it is, the values will be elicited from whatever the last recent sale.
And any C-3 zoning is not going to affect it much.
Now, this Board has got td look to the best overall general
welfare of the citizens of the City of Miami, not just the developer,
not a few property owners, but the overall general welfare of the
City. If this Board feels that it is in the best overall general
welfare that you should grant the application and allow the streets
4 to be vacated, there .are some comments — we've been talking about
the Law here. Let me give you a couple of short cases for the record.
Hunt versus Lintchuck, 223, Southern Second, 350, District Court
of. Appeals,"that the Cities of this State are authorized to dis-
continue or vacateany street or portion thereof whendone in the
interest of general welfare", end of quote.
Now, general welfare means the welfare of all the citizens in
the community and not just one individual, but all individuals. Now,
I believe that even .though maybe a few citizens would object to the
closing of the street and the rezoning, that the general welfare will
be best served and wil].. be served by the action which will allow Plaza
Venetia to become a reality.
Now, there was something mentioned by. Mr. Acton about the re-
version of the streets. Well, I think it's generally accepted; that
the title to the streets are upheld in the abutting property owners,
subject to the public easement of ingress and egress, and the right,
and I quote, "it has been stated repeatedly that if the power to vacate
ispresentnthesstreetlawfully
or exercised,
l,ace�orfact
portion�there abandoned,
a when
the title to publicp of, reverts to
the adjacent owner, la of no conseequenceond,A�nd�that
t'casetis Sun iun Oil
Company versus Gerstein, 2Q South to
stay here and quote you law, you have your own attorney and they're
good ones, I'll let Mr. io.10 finish, but I want to say that we are
trying to do the best job that we could to bring this matter before
you at Public Hearing, not private review by architectural boards,
The architectural, the private architectural boards, inmy opinion,
enjoy no better standing than J 4o. If I want to come down and review
a project, then I thin% the proper form to do it is right here. Why
should they get preferential treatment over you? We don't meet with
you in private to talk about it, we bring it to you in public and we
-50- March 27, 1972 Its #3
lay it out and we've tried to do that, And I certainly urge that
you will give this project your consideration and vote to allow
Plata Venetia to become a reality, Thank you very much,
Mrs MartinetsThank you. Mrs Molia
M s Halo: Honorable Mardi Ladies dentlemeno Mt. Chairman,
the only time 1 would like to take at this time is to categorically
give you some answers on the few objeatione we have heard. Conle:to
the neat of it, 1 tried to make rapid notes of the various ladies
and gentlemen who were present. And if t may do eo, ,1 just have
twelve points to make.
Firsts 1 would like to express my tremendous appreciation to
Mr. Harvey ituvin for his great sympathy for Us developers and fast'
his f ae efforts for the moratorium in the County of all development
and building and many of my friends share this appreciation. Looks
like now he wants to stifle' the City as well. Well, where would
we put our people who come here? Do you know that Florida,' the
State of Florida is number one, Mr. Ruvin, now in increase in
population. Where do we put all the people, sir? In my pocket or
yours? Well, however, I just want to say that about Mr. 1uvin's
proposal.
Then, I believe, that Mr. Hinckley, our fine appraiser, was
speaking about track records, I have been numerous times in front of
you with various proposals, sometimes you felt to grant it sometimes
you turn me down, as your judgement may have been. But never have
you seen a project from me in these last ten years, I have built a
project,I have completed project and in full accord of those
commitments that I. have made to you. Incidentally, Mr. Hinckley
has made another point that I would like to .point outto you. This
was very much missed by everybody and I think that it should be
brought to your attention ladies and gentlemen. He has mentioned
that our fine citizens, and I'm thankful to all of us who hasvoted
for the bond issue; I worked very hard with many of my friends to
get it through.
Well, one side of the C-4 zoning that the Miami
Herald has will bea park now. The other side of us is the start of
two thousand feet of frontage on the Bay, City Park, plans have been
approved for its beautification. City park plans have been approved
for the beautification thereof. There are no other parks,there are
no other. developments. Development of the downtown of Miama. as we
know it close to the Bayfront ends here, C. B. D., Central Business
District, Mr. Hinckley, ends at 17th Street.
I now would like to go to Mr. Reed and Mr. Pancoast, if I
may handle the two gentlemen under one hat. I would like to state
that we have engaged the finest nationally known architect, planner,
of our era, of our Nation, Mr. Joseph hmi:sano of Toombs, Aznisano and
Wells. However, upon reading the article in the Miami Herald which
published a letter of Mrs Little of the. Southern Chapter of
the A. I. Areiii.teets, so called group, their growing members, one of
which letter was read before, Mr. Herbert Johnson; the finest known
and finest reputation architect existing in our town,
Now, another architect has come forward, also A. I, A., was
unsol oited, the letter that was written and upon the insistence of
the architect Was here hand eelwvered to me, his name is Charles
Diller .and hPsoCiates, the letter was signed by Mr, Charles Oilier,
A. 1, As , Was ;addressed to me, subject Plaza Venetia
''beat Mr. Moiio!", l would like to read as an answer to themi
"A newspaper article appeared in the Miami Herald, 2t March 197t'
indicating that the President of the Florida aauth Chapter of the
Atorioan Institute of Arehiteets representing the nine member hoard
was in 'opposition to your development.
1 would like to go, on record ass"a member in good standing -of
the A. E. I. that 1 personally am in complete support of your proposed
project and consider that it would be a major contribution to the
vitality and the economy of downtown Mamie
Normally, an undertaking of this site and cor �egltence, in the
heart of a metropolitan area is usually accomplished under expensive
government redevelopment programs which involve huge expenditures for
land acquisition and are sponsored by federal and local tax de tars.
This project, to the contrary, is one in which you and your investors
are planning to inject in excess of 80 million dollars into the economy
of downtown Miami in building constriction, not to mention the increase
of job opportunities for local citizens that will be produced. Addi-
tionally, this project will add to the tax rolls of the city and county,
rather than drain from them.
Mr. Little's remarks relative to the design of this project,
appear to be completely negative. I would think that the A. I. A.
should step forward and if they have constructive criticism to make
relative to this project that these criticisms would be better and
more readily received, if they were made in the spirit of helpful
cooperation rather than one of defeatism.
This project is located in an area which has already been
established as a high density commercial zone. There is sufficient
separation from any neighboring residential areasto allay reasonable
objections from homeowners.' According to the newspaper article, Mr.
Little's objection that this project is not properly planned appears
to be based on density and some criticism of a parking structure to be
built to the edge of the bay.
With regard to the density, it is my opinion that there is no
area in Dade County which should have greater density than in downtown
Miami. The A. I. A,. Board of Directors should have considered that
the City. of Miami does not have to acquire the land to make this pro-
ject possible; the city does not have to undertake bond issues and
obligate the people of our community in order to revitalize this area.
The addition to the tax rolls resulting from this project will un-
doubtedly offset any costs of additional utilities resulting from this
higher density.
Surely, it is safe to presume that investors who are responsi-
ble enoughtocome up with nearly 90 million dollars for such a pro-
ject will employ superior architectural and planning consultants for,
the design and execution of this project, and if the A, I. A. would
like to have a voice in this development, it is my suggestion that
Mr. Little appointa committee to assist rather than to publicly de-
nounce this venture." Sincerely, Charles Giller, A, 1. A.
1 believe that before them we had Mrs, Allocca who appeared
as the lone objector on this entire map which was taken down just be-
fore, The entire area was green then, there were two objectors on it,
as you recall, One was Mrs, Allocca, the other one was th`e.Miami
Women1s Club. Very graciously the Miami Women's Club withdrew, the
objections in our favors thus we have one objector, Mesa A1looca,
-58- March '27, 1972
Item #3
l have done a little homework in eonnedtion with this ant
o" ieotor, and l would like to air it if I may. The Alloeaa family
was one that in 190 attempted to Moak the oonstruation of the
Saint E1itabeth Hospital with the same type of technique that there
is a private easement on ,the ground upon which the hospital wanted
to build their structure, and the taint tii2abeth Hospital was forced
to go through five long 1itigatio'nal procedures in order to eliminate
those private easements which was in the favor and in the betterment
of our community. Later, the City of Miami had to take the Alloceas
to court to issue them an ex post facto building permit because they,
the rear of their property that was a garage to which this private
easement that Mr. Hendricks pointed out, was converted into living
quarters and rooming facilities instead of a garage. The building
inspector of the City of Miami in I.52 had found this, had to take
them to court to remedy the situation which has been dote, I unt:or-
stand, ever since.
Well, I am down to the words of Dean McCormick of Trinity
Episcopalian, we designed this project for the benefit of all the
people, especially of our City, the City of Miami. We meaning and
intend to serve the people with this project and to point to it
with pride, not only from the standpoint of one developer, myself,
but from the standpoint of the entire city.
Well, I'd like to point out something, however, to the one
item that Mr. Acton objected to. I have high regards for Mr. Acton,
in this case, however, I think that he was playing economist and I
believe it is your duty as the Planning Board of Miami to further,
promulgate, and propose developments; invite developers such as
myself and others with much greater magnitude.
Mr. Acton here has made some fine blocks for us to study
(referring to Planning Department Model) and I would like to, for just
a moment asmy last item, to borrow some of his blocks. Mr. Acton
thought that this, my original plan, (referring to model) was too
Acton told me so,
big:- of a block. Mr. . because I heed Mr. Acton and
because I want a hundred percent accord from our community:I have
greatly reduced this block by approximately 25%, it's volume in size.
Not really, not really as little, as the one he has put down, slightly
larger, sort of a compromise. But I feel really that you know, we can,
we can also take that into an 'L' (referring to model); that's even
a smaller one, that one's maybe better, I don't know. Right now we
have nothing on it, right now we have a parking.. lot filled with cars.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Honorable Chairman, I mean to do some
thing great for. our City, I seek your permission to allow me to do so.
Mr. Martinez; Thank you, Mr. Hollo. I would like to have your
architect come up. I have a question, Mr. Amisano.
My question i.s, have you seen a copy of the Revised PD Ordinance:
Mr, Antisano;
Yes, I have.
Mr, Martinez; According to M1'. Acton, he says that you can
build the project that you want to build there with this instrument
if we implement it. What is your feelings towards it, if you have
looked at it.
Mr iaafe; well, I don't want to talse a great deal of time
but if the Board is familiar with their Planned Unit Development
throughout the Country, without ,a specific, what is called bonus
-59- March 27, 1972 it q #3
to-
indent:ves# that's the elMe it's a system that's been adopted by
many oit.es in whLoh they clearly state what these bonuses are* ft
isn't the perogat .ve at any ono person to deaiclas or even One group;
to decide what that bonus would be unilaterally, The bonuses are
very involved; they are extremely difficult to dote by, very few
cities agree in total, whether it has to do with P.A.A., what values
plazas have or any number, t aan enumerate twenty-five different
things which oeme'unde1 the planned Unit Development. planned Unit
Development, not planned Development, there's quite a difference.
It considers . a project in the sense of Planned Development which
would take into consideration any kind of planning project without
having, specifically, these requirements of bonuses, that no one
would know where to begin. In other words, if you go into a City
like Milwaukee or Hartford, where we're doing a job there now, it
clearly states what you have to work with, that tool.
I read this thing and, maybe under pressure Mr. Acton chid
not have a chance to really incorporate all the things, all the
instruments that are really required to make this a viable zoning
instrument. Maybe it is simply a question of pressure of time.
But, without these it's ust like saying, you know, you have an
Ordinance now that clearly states what a setback is,where the,
center line of the street is. To analyze, and then you would have
to have a considerable nuMb er of public hearings to decide what
are the values of any kind of open spaces. It may be to have one
value to one person, another value to another. Everybody would
have to be heard on every one of these so that it becomes a con -
census. It becomes a concensus having to do with property right.
That's what bonuses have to do, because your giving one person some
right to, maybe, you've excluded it to someone else, but you are
justifying a certain return. Returns that would benefit the public.
Without that clearly stated, this would be the greatest
bucket of worms:_ Now, no city now, I have some very good planning
friends of mine in another city, just an academic question, I: didn't
describe the project. I asked them, outline specifically the
elements that make up just one fact having to do with F.A.R.; he
said, where are you calling from,'I said, I'm calling you from Atlanta.
He said, .I'll ..talk to you for a couple of hours if you pay thephone
bill. He said, in essence,` you can't even get p].anzu.ng professionals
to agree on all the indredients that make up, quote, what F.A.R. ratios.
To ignore economics they are - there's a book, it just came.
out, having to do with environmental growth. And it's one of the
best books in terms of, expression, with having to do with all kinds
of uses.
The economists who are considered involved in this area have
pointed out - and to understand whole systems, . whether they be
ecological or urban systems, what one group may decide today, is
evidence of how any particular system works, would be disproved by
a more sophisticated one in the future, Dist as science has always'
had a theory put forth and say this is the way, ,this is the system,
only to be disproved later, on. But this is not the way to work this
because there's a greater body of knowledge Unless the ordinances
have built into them, that there's an evolutionary process, that
the fact and figures having to do - there's an enormous amount of
facts and figure§ that would have to be put into your handy and
to the people, beeauae you'd have to review it, for them to _under.
§rand what value§,, ubat etedita there ate in the way of panning,
MOW, without that, l read this, . in tea of intent it is
simply, it'a like a prologue to lime,, & novel, There it a great
deal to some ► Well* I'm interested in it at a prologue, and anyone
can't diaagtee with go+odneaa, tut the essence la, as a working
i:natru1nentit hay" none of the parts that anybody, any of these
architects here, could ever work with, It'aimply states - there
is a great deal of reference to administrative procedures. 1 think
that ninety petoent of it dwells on that aspect -of ;.t. Dut the
technical - and 1 have with me, if you'd like to meet a lead - and
1 left this with Mt, Acton when 1 tet with, him before, When. 1
asked hitti whether he had a Planned Unit Development system going,
and when he said he had, and when r asked him, do you have one for
the urban area, he said no. And'I said, well, I'll be glad to send'.
you those that I'm familiar with, and I'm not familiar with all of
them, and I'm :familiar with allthe details because it's an
extremely difficult thing to apply.
So, I'vesaid that, but if the Board would like to see
the complications that involves, what must be part of the Planned
Unit Development system - ordinance, then that's something I think
would be worthwhile seeing.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you very much. Yes, Mrs. McGraner?
Mrs McGraner: Mr Chairman, Mr Watson may I speak to
you please. Mr. Watson, I regret very much that you made the
statement that you would rather see a denial than a deferral. Per-
sonally, I feel that a deferral would be good because 2 feel that
Mr.. Hollo and his representatives, along with you, shouldget to-
gether with our Planning Staff and iron out the little discrepancies
that might be in there that you dislike. Why not give them a chance,
and not say that you have lost.
Mr Watson: Mrs. McGraner, we have met with your Planning
Staff, we have done and bent every possible way that we can and
I am justly afraid, I. would never make a policy statement suchas
that without thoroughly going into it with Mr. Hollo. But,'. unless
we can get an expression of this Board and get to the City Commission
for their decision one way or the other, we're going to lose the
project, that's all.
Mrs. McGraner:: Mr.Watson, this.
thought up over and we certainly
over night. This: is a big; proposition
entire City, and we've got to think of
Some of our Board Members may have made up their mind as
what they would like to do,
Mr, Rollo; If I may be an attorney for my attorney, Mrs.
McGraner, thank you very much for, your concern ma'am, Those concerns
for 'all of us for many, many years in the City. Not so many months
ago, upon the fine efforts of Pigs, Rose Gordon, was brought before
your Board, and very much in my memory, the reclassification of
Brlokell Avenue'
If 1 may respectfully submit it to you, one little typical
reclaae fie 't: on, amounted .not to a `"tinker'' € 4=0 . It top% this
is something that you hadn't
can't do anything like this
and it's going to affect the
that too,
0
professional staff and this Board seven months to gat it tO the
dominion. t respectfully submit to ytu, Mrs. Medraner, that i
hack .10O% the statement of my attorney and 1 have earmarked day
and night to the .very fine professional staff of this Board to
acquaint them and to iron out any difficulties between tzow and
getting to the Commission. But -1 want, an answer from you, madam
Board Member.
Mrs. . Nkaranert Well, Mr. Rollo, 1 think it Most unfair
for you to judge our staff by somebody that you already had ex-
perience with. Therefore, that is why I've expressed myself the
dray I have.
mr. Rollo: I a ► most appreciative for your expression,, 1
am standing, as my fine attorney has stated.
Mr Martinez:
public hearing'and we
Does any Board Member
you: have your hand ' up.
mr. Silverman:
questions.
After the presentation is completed, I'm still not quite
clear on exactly what theapplication is. Can you specifically tell
me the number of units you are planning in this project?
Thank you, Mr. Halo. .1 are closing the
will have discussion among the $card Members.
have any questions? I see Mr. Silverman, that
Mr. Amisano:'
Mr. Silverman:
Mr. Amisano:
Yes, 1'd like to ask the architect a few
In the apartments?
Yes, how many apartment units.
Eight hundred and ten.
Mr. Silverman: And can you tell me the number of parking
spaces that you will have in this project.
Mr. Amisano: For the apartmentsit's on the .ratio of one
to three, and there's roughly a thousand --
Mr. Silverman: One to three means 1.3 for each one apartment
unit, one and a third for each apartment unit?,
Mr. Amisano:
Yes.
:Mr. Silverman:, And you have no breakdown as
bedrooms and two bedrooms and so on?
Mr. Amisano: No.
Mr. Silverman; Can you tell me the size__
Mr. Amisano: I would say a percentage, there will be a higher
percentage of one bedroom. Piobab1y in the neighborhood of 60%.
Mr. Silverman; Sixty percent would be one bedroom and the
rest would be two bedroom?
Mr,Amisano: Two bedrooms and there may be some three' s de-
pending on the layout.
Mr. Silverman; How about the size of the commerci l Aria, how
o how many one,
62- March 27, 1972
Item #
Mrs Amiaanm parking apaeea
Mg. Silverman: NO linty many aware feet do you ant cipate in
the a mMeraiai area
Mr. Amisano: It would be roughly somewhere between three
hundred fifty to four hundred thousand square feet, and there are
3400 parking apaeee.
Mr. Silverman: Egeuae . file
Mr. AMiaano : 3400.
Mr. silverman: And how about the office apace, how much
office space do you anticipate?
Mr. Amisano: Approximately two hundred.
M. Si1Nermant Excuse me?
Mr. Amisano: Two hundred thousand.
Mr. Silverman: Two hundred thousand square feet of office
space.Now, that parking figure, 3400, does that include parking
for the office space?
Mr. Amisano: Yes, sir. It includes parking for Jordan
Marsh. We have given the Planning Staff our complete breakdown on
areas, on every level, the number of parking spaces, the structure
system. This was exhibted on the drawings.
Mr. Silverman: Well, you changed the project so I'm not
quite clear, because by changing the setbacks, it changes the density,
it changes the project.
Mr. Amisano: Well, just on the front.
Mr. Silverman: How many, how high is your office building
and the apartments?
Mr. Amisano: How high?
Mr. Silverman: Yes, what's the height?
Mr. Amisano:g ding is ten stories
The height of the office building
above the top parking level.
Mr, Silverman: What's that total?
Mr. Amisano: Its, in terms - its from the street level, well,
it's roughly -
1et's say, from ground level apta rou hl two hundred and eight feet.
Mr. Silverman; That about twenty-one stories; Approximatel#
Mr, Amisano; Well, no, it's not a ten foot floor, The retail
levels are eighteen feet high,
Mr, Silverman; Well, how many stories would that be roughly,'
Mr, Anu nano; Well, I don't know what you - do you mean how
many stor .ea the otficea would be?
-63- March 27, 1972
Mt. 8i1VerMan: 7'm trying t8 get the height of the entire
devei6pMent,
Mr, Amisano: It would be approximatelyfifteen stories, it
your looking at it -providing ---
Mr. Ailvermant Fifteen stories. About two hundred and ten
feet. 11ew about the apartments, how high would that
Mx. AtiS ono : The, if we -well, the Ma):i'mttM is three hundred
depending on in the reduction hew we could do the plans based on
the lower density, it could be less that that, tie`11ave.not done that. In
Mr. Silverman: Yes, well, before the revised plan it was
approximately three hundred, about thirty stories, give or take.
Mr. Amisatio: Yes.
Mr. Silverman: Now, what is the Floor Area Ratio that you
have computed as far as the commercial area, and as far as the --
Mr: Amisano: Three --
Mr, Silverman: And as far as the residential area.
Mr. Amisano: 3.194.
Mr. Silverman: That's the commercial area?
Mr. Amisano: Yes.
Mr. Silverman: How about the residential area?
Mr. Amisano It was 5.82 but it would be reduced; that
was on the basis of the original thousand and ten units, it would
be less than that now.
Mr. Silverman It would be around five, is that right?
Mr. Amisano: Well, could be. Yes.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you. Any more questions.
Mrs. Callahan: _' Yes. I would like to speak to Mr. Hollo. Mr.
Hol10 I read your letter that you sent around the table from Mr. Giller:
and the one you quoted there. And I can't help but feel and tell you
that I think you have a very fine architect as far as'I am able to
judge.
But I do want to correct any misunderstanding that you might
have about our architects here locally. Because they have given of
their time and efforts timeand time again freely, and I am sure
that you realize that they are down here this evening and offering
once again with their good intention of helping you as well as us in
making a decision
Mr, Rollo Than you ma'am, and I've always enjoyed a very
fine relationship with most all the architects in this town.
Mrs. Callahan; Fine. well, I was sure it was a misunderstandin'i,
but l wanted it corrected so we understood each other.
March 27,
•
Mrs Rollo: I thank you very much, Mrs. Callahan, would
alas like to make you wears of it, however, that whim Mrs Amisanc,
an architect of national reputation, has taken this pre eet, to
handle this :project, we have §then fine, nationally knewn architects.
in our town such as Mrs Cahnson w}fo hat written in to you, aueh as
Mr► =ler wha haswritten in to you, whoa project are an accolade
all through our Country. And you an tee numerous of his creations,
maybe in a hundred eiti+ a th►raugheut the united Sta`t` es .
Mra. Callahan: Well, Mr. Iloilo, it t'eem that. we're all
here in concept, to try to help you in every way that we . can and
possibly work this deal.. out. And I don't think that we should,put
anybody drown in the process, that we should bear in mind that they
are trying to help us and let's work this thing out amiably.
Mr. Iloilo: Absolutely I agree with you. No better can anybody
putit as you have put it.
Mrs. Callahan: Thank you.
Mr. Martine.: Ytes, Mr. Kalil,
Mr. Kalil: Mr. Chairman, this project that private investors
are trying to build here, I not too long ago was in Pittsburgh, Akron,
Ohio and Up in Canada, Montreal; those cities revising their down-
town areas are doing it with tax dollars and federal funds. Here is
a project, as l stated before, the City of Miami is a very small City,
land wise; we are going to be boxed in as long as it remains the City
of Miami, until some such day as the City of Miami could takeover.
Dade County. Then we would have some land areas that we could use
and project these kind of projects under our City Ordinances which
our Planning Staff has designed. But until such time, as I said
before, we do not have any land areas large enough to put this type.
of a project unless we went into Bayfront Park, in the area'- we have
the boat docks down there now which are going to be torn down and
the Ed Ball property along the F.E.C., are the only large tracts
left without streets running` through them.
Now, I've been on the Street, and Plat Committee and we do
not always relish giving away the City's streets, but we have done
it on many occasions because the streets lead to nowhere and it
is better to be used and its, to the private investors and it brings
in tax dollars instead of costing us money to maintain it as a street.
I, myself personally, am glad that they have reduced this
project and have waived, the variances and setbacks that they were
going to ask for. I think the project in itself, which, I was not
for at first, but since all this has come about, I do feel that it
will be a great asset to the City of. Miami and to Biscayne Boulevard.
I wish I was a great opponent against what our Planning Staff and
our Board did in rezoning Biscayne Boulevard and destroying the
property values along there, because no project, from Dupont Plaza,
out to 17th Street, Like this could be built on Biscayne Boulevard
anymore under the new zoning that we just created a couple of months
490.
So, I hope that our Board will consider this project and
give a,t PQme thought tonight, than% you.
Mx. Martinez; Thank you, Mr, Kalil. you have a .question,
. Alfonso?
-65- March 27, 1972
Mr: Alfonso: I should like to make a eammdnts d'erta hty,
Plata Venetia is a hew dimension, Plata Venetia ig going to ootbihe
amity and intensity in one projects Plata Venetia, t believe, it.
a good project for the:dity et Miami. l believe that the members
of this Board twat consider this project as the first step to en-
courage other, developers and show 'to them that the city of Miami
id going to lead all cities ih the nations I am in favor of this
Mr. Martinets Thank you, Alfondo. Well, everything g , Coates
to ate ends The time has code, Revtrend Wright this is ih your- district,
and that is your pleasure sir.
neV. Wti'ghts First, I would like to address something to
Mr.,Hendricks and Mrs. Ailocca. Mr, Hendricks, when you stood here
and made remarks, it appeared that your remarks were centered around
the closure of the streets, 1 would like that you should know that
the Planning Staff has approved the closure of the streets there, and
that was, 1 think, one of your contentions.
I would like to go a bit further- l just wanted to bring that
l have a great respect for Mr. Williams
out to you, Mr. Hendricks. p
and r have a great respect for many of those have spoken in ob-
jection of this project. I have a great respect for Mr. Reed, Mr.
pancoast. And I'm going to use an adage, an old adage, and it's re-
corded someplace, I'm quite sure most of you know where. And, of
course, this adage does not reflect upon the mentality of those who
have spoken here tonight for or in objection to this project. And
this adage is this,"where there is no vision, the people perish".
I have traveled recently into many cities and I have noticed
i the downtown area of those cities decaying simply because there was
no vision. I was in Washington D. C. not too long ago, my home city,
I was there to bring a National Democratic Convention here along
with the Governor and others, and 1. stopped at a hotel that a number,
perhaps, that you know, it's a good eating place there, O'Donald's.
Seafood, and I wanted to: get some seafood and I was told not to walk
in the downtown area there because I might be - someone might mug
me; this is the downtown section of Washington D. C., the Capitol
of the Nation. Because, perhaps there is no vision in enhancing a
downtown area.
Here we have inside parking and recreation and off-street loading
and unloading, and I really go for that. And I think that this is a
very, very good project and I'm going on record, I'm moving that this
project be approved,
Mr. Alfonso:' 1 second.
Mr. Martinez: Mr. Silverman.
Mr, Silverman: In opposition to the potion, let me say how
I feel, I believe I have vision,and the vision that I see is Miami
0 Beach, I see Collins Avenue, I see 162 acres - 162 units per acre,
that's what I sue, and that's what I'm . afraid of. And, this is an
68 million dollar project, this is not a duplex that wants a 10' 7-oning
sethaek. This is a large, substantial: pro eat and I don't feel it's
proper to be pressured into a situation were this Board must vote
tonight on an $8 million dollar project that was revised this evening,
as the Staff has not seen the revised plans and the architects in this
s
area have not seen and .studied, This is pot a little .project, this
is a large, substantial project.
-66- March '27, 19 2 Item #3
I don't consider end and a third parking space§ for each unit,.
when you have 'tiom Cone bedroom and 4O two or more unite as adequate.
I don't believe that Moor Area ftatie for residential use of over S.'6
and Pioor Area Ratio in the tommeroial area of over 3.6 is something
to lust pato over lightly, Thin is a large, subttantial proieot, I
think th t toard should give it close attention, c168e scrutiny. I
know the City is`anx-ioua for development, l think we all are, however,
to take it or leave it, and that'sthe way'it's presented, I don't
believe is fair, l would be in favor of deferral this evening and
if the motion is t6 grant, /'n going to vote in opposition to it,
Rev, Wright: Well, to defend my Motion-
Mr. Martine:: Mr, Chairman let me, let the other ward Members
express, I think we can ail vote here as We want, Mr. Burns?
Mr. Burns: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. However, if the Reverend
Wright wants to speak before, I'll defer to him and Ariake my comments
subsequently.
Rev. Wright: Well, to defend my motion, just on the outside
of this building here, if I lived in the country I would hoop and
a hog call; this Board recommended Denial of an apartment building
across the street. I believe I was the only one on the Board to vote
yes for it but - I saw improvement. God is not making any more land,
we are either going to go up or down as we go on. And people are
being born faster than they die, and God knows, I hope I live a long
time. But, the Commission okayed that apartment across the street.'
Now, the motion is on the floor, you can vote it up or down.
I have voiced my sentiments, and my sentiment is, as I said a few
moments ago, 1 move for the, recommendation of the project. You can
vote either way you wish.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mrs. McGraner, we
have Mr. Burns, unless he defers to you.
Mrs. McGraner: I was going to ask Mr. Burns
suggestion?
Mr. Burns: Thank you, Mrs. McGraner; I would just like to
on a couple. of tnsituationlherean�ai,re not
focusOf course, we
faced with a Miami Beach Silverman,because
fortunately we have beautiful parks to the south which' are going to
be enlarged, and parks to the north.
Something that is of interest to me, I enjoy walking in the parks
and I enjoy looking at trees and I enjoy looking at the Bay,but I also
enjoy andget a great thrill when. I'm in New York and see some of the
interesting different buildings and shops and activity centers they
have there too. And this, to rne, will be another kind of aesthetic
beauty, another kind of pleasure that we can have because we can,wal%
through this project andsee what utan is creating and building that's
new and different and exciting, It's going to bring new activity, new
business, new opportunities to us. SO, I don't think that those who
just love trees ought to make the whole City into parks they're en-
titled to their 50% But I think that some of us who enjoy trees but
also enjoy new and exciting buildings which in themselves can be beauti-
ful, should have an opportunity to walk through a unique project such
as this which i.s centered in location beyond compare, we have two
major causeways, we have the venetian Causeway and the MacArthur Cause-
way immediately serving this project, We have the major cast -west
what was your
•
ispresaway, A16, which is designed pr'inr to thit prtject, which will
carry the heavy 1aad'that this regional slapping center will create,
bringing that sales business bank to the City of Miami, We have
tiatayne Btulevafd, a majar thoroughfare which is designed far
bridging traffic in and out of the area, as well as Baythore Drive,
The other point that I'd like to make is that It transit
often times does hot succeed and is a failure, That is beeaute
there is not an intentity of use in the area which is necessary to
support it-, At we are all aware here tonight, and nobody made comment,
we're very fortunate'it just recently a hundred thousand dollars has
been appropriated to insure, to subsidi2e, the mass r ransit, the
mini -bus system which is specifically designed to include the l7th
Street area, This will be an anchor to that project, which will
insure full and active utilizations of that mini -bus service and
a development of this order can only help support mass transit, which
it one of the shining lacks that this City has, an inability to
move it's. people rapidly and conveniently with the pleasures without
et `n 1.ri cars, ate causing
congestion Y parking
g ti gwhichon and the
problems that we all have bong with, g oust;.
In brief, while I could go on at some great length, because
I find this project,frankly, the possibility is quite exciting, I
just know that Mt, l4ollo's problems loom far greater down the road
trying to entice business men back into Miami to rent his space, which
is going to be, I'm sure, given the developmental costs, quite expen-
sive. I just hope that he'll be able to get those eight hundred
families to move back downtown and fill up those apartments and bring
the people and the business back to town. I wish him well in that
regard and I don't envy him.
So, I would just like to say that I would support the motion
made by Reverend Wright our Chairman and as seconded by Mr. Alfonso.
And I haveto recall what Lucius Williams said, who is a professional,
who's business it is to look after the downtown development district,
he understands the aesthetics, the business, the architectural aspect,
the planning aspect. And that was about as about as unequivocal an
endorsement that I've heard from a,professional staff member in a
long time. Thank you.
Mr. Martinez Thank you, Mr. Burns. Mrs. Callahan?
Mrs. Callahan: Well, I speak against the motion. I feel as
if, a little bit like a joke I heard one, time where the lady was being
wheeled into the delivery room and the doctor stopped her and asked
her what she wanted, a boy or a girl, and she said she would take what
was there. And I think that if we take, it at this time that we're
taking what is there.
Now, we had the Director of our planning Department, Mr, George.
Acton, Jr,, and I think we're taking it entirely out of his hands at
this time and I think the mattershould be rLferred back to him and
a meeting planned with the architects, andtogether with Mr. H011o's
representation, And I think if it is brought back to us in a little
more intelligent order where we all understand what we're voting on
that we will be all for it. And 1 shall vote against it if it is
propositioned as it is at this time.
. Martinez; Thank you/ Mrs, Callahan, Since everyone aside.
from Mr Dean and myself have made comments and made a point of how
they were going to vote, 1 would Like to say this, being that we all:
have spoken up,
•
To me it's refreshing to see people like you come with ideas
like you have because l lived most of my life : in the state of Plori.-a,
I ewe from 'Tampa, Florida, and I've been it Miami since 1052. 1
can remember the summers here when you could get out with a ahetgun
on Plagler Street and you couldn't hit anybody if you ahet, and it's
changed. Times Have changed. And I just went back recently to my
hometown and'I was very ama2ed to See the amount of expressway systems,
they are way ahead of us here. f mean the traffic over there, they
don't have the amount of traffic that we have, but they have better_
expressway systems than we have here, it's a shame. The airport
a.s something tO brag about, and these are the things that it really
hurts to see that we don't have the type of development.. We're dust
not tuned with the times.
It seems that everytime someone wants to go above tWO stories
here, my gosh, the world was coming to an end. To, the it was beauti-
ful when I went this last summer to a convention to Chicago and I
went up to the John Hancock Insurance 8ui1ding.and you have to pay
to go up to that tower so you can see the skyline from up there.
And there was hundreds of people going up there.And those are the
kind of enterprises that I want to see for my City.
Mr. Simpson, i think we're ready for roll,
Mr. Simpson: On 3 (a) this is the Change
Tract A and Tract B, the motion is to recommend.
Three objections were received in the mail.
Reverend Wright offered the following resolution, and moved
its adoption:
sir.
of Zoning for
RESOLUTION NO. 72-75
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING CHANGE .OF ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF TENTATIVE PLAT.#817 -,
"PLAZA VENETIA",TRACT "A" & TRACT:"B",
LOCATED AT THE AREA BOUNDED BY N.:E..17TH
TERRACE ON THE NORTH, N. E. 15TH STREET ON
THE SOUTH,.BISCAYNE BOULEVARD ON THE WEST,
AND N. E. BAYSHORE DRIVE ON THE EAST, LESS
PROPERTY KNOWN AS 1720 N. E. BAYSHORE DRIVE,
ALL KNOWN AS TRACT "A":OF,"PLAZA VENETIA",
AND AREA BOUNDED ON: THE. NORTH BY THE WOMEN'S
CLUB, ON THE WEST BY N. E. BAYSHORE DRIVE, ON
THE SOUTH BY N. E. 16TH STREET, AND ON THE
EAST BY BISCAYNE BAY, ALL KNOWN AS TRACT "B
OF "PLAZA VENETIA", FROM C=1 (LOCAL COMMER-
CIAL) TO C-3 (CENTRAL COMMERCIAL)
Upon being seconded by Mr. Alfonso, this resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote;
AXES; Messrs, AlfornSo, Burns, Kalil, Martinez, Wright,
was; Messrs, Doan and Silverman.
Mines. Callahan and McGraner, ,
upon R011 Call, the following statements were made;
XP, Mcaraner; I've already exprepaed myself,, if: it were.
4 4 fer'ai l would have been €pr it, but z will vote against the ;nation,
Mrs gimpson: The motion dottiest five to four,
The 3 (1) portion involves the official closure of Hitt 16th
and N. E. 17th Streets, and this will be subject to platting;
must report to this toard that the Plat and Street Committee at
it's meeting last Thursday, deferred action en the Tentative Plat
because of the concern of the utility companies about the Major
utilities that exist in these streets. of course, any approval of
this Board will be subject to the relocation, et alteration or
establishment of easements. l would only urge the developer and
his representatives to get with the utility companies immediately
because they are quite concerned on this matter.
mr. Martinez: Reverend Wright, what is your pleasure
Re'V'erend Wright offered the following resolution, and moved
its adoption:
RESOLtUTION NO,. 72 76
tESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE OFFICIAL VACATION
AND CLOSURE OF N E. 16TH ANDN.'E. 17TH STREETS
BETWEEN BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AND N. E. BAYSHORE
.DRIVE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH TENTATIVE PLAT #817-
1LAZA VENETIA", SUBJECT TO' MEETING ALL THE
PLATTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI.
Upon being seconded by Mr. Alfonso, this resolution Was
passed and adopted by -the following vote:
AYES: Messrs. Alfonso, Burns, Kalil, Martinez, Wright.
MAYES: Messrs. Dean and Silverman.
Mmes. Callahan and McGraner.
Mr. Simpson: The motion carries, five to four.
Mr. Martinez: 3 (c), what is your pleasure Reverend Wright.
Rev. Wright: To move it.
Mr. Burns: Excuse me, Mr. Simpson, on this item 'c', since
we've now granted a zoning of C-3, is the motion still the same?
Mr. Simpson, Yessir, the C-3 portion of the Ordinance re-
quires for the approval of the "Conditonal Use" for any off-street.
parking, whether it be surface or inagarage,
Mr. Burns; Thank you,
3 (o)?
Mr. Martinez:' Reverend Wright, what's your pleasure on
Rev, Wright; Now, 1 would like to defer this until you get
together on the parking,
Mr, Rollo; Certainly,
Mr, Simpson; This would have to be modified to reflect the
new number of spaces, approximate number of spaces in the Tract "8„
Mr. Rollo; I fully understand that,
-70 March 27, 1972 tei
ft V rand Wright offered th6 ' folly :n$ re d it .On, end moved
Lts Adoption:
RESOLUTION REOOMMENDINc 'DEPE OR "CONDI-
TIONAL 'SSE" AS LISTED IN ORD/NANCE NO. 8871,
ARTICLE XV, SECTION 2 (8) (A), 'O PEROT
PAR NO OARAOE.'ON TRACT "A"i TENTATIVE PLAT
0817 - "PLAZA VENETIA", LOCATED AT THE AREA
BOUNDED BY N. E. 17THi TERRACE ON THE NORTH,
N, E. ,15TH STREET ON THE SOUTH, 3I SUAYN :
BOULEVARD ON THE. WEST, AND N. E. BA?SHORE
DRIVE ON THE EAST, LESS PROPERTY mon AS
1720 N. E. BA'1SHORE DIVE, ALL KNOWN AS
TRACT "A" OP "PLAZA.VENETIA", WITH APPROXI-
MATELY 3,400 PARKING SPACES, .AND 'PAi NO
GARAGE ON TRACT "Bii► TENTATIVE PLAT 4817 -
"PLAZA VENETIA" , LOCATED AT THE AIM ' BOUNDED
ON . THE NORTH BY THE WOMEN' S CLUB, ON THE
WEST BY N. E. BAYSHORE DRIVE, ON THE SOUTH
BY N. E. 16TH STREET,. AND ON THE EAST BY
BISCAYNE BAY, ALL KNOWN AS TRACT "B" OP
"PLAZA"VENETIA", WITH APPROXIMATELY 1, 300
PARKING SPACES, ZONED C-1 (LOCAL COMMERCIAL),
PROPOSED TO BE REZONED C-3 (CENTRAL COMMER-
CIAL).
Upon being seconded by Mr. Alfonso, this resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Messrs. Alfonso, Burns, Dean, Kalil, Martinez,
Silverman, Wright.
Mmes. Callahan and McGraner
NAPES: None.
Mr. Simpson: We have one more, 3 .(d). They only withdrew
the variance aspect which is 3 (e). The 3 (d) involves, the "Condi-
tional Use" approval for 810 units in the apartment building.
Mr. Martinez In other words, we are correctingthis from
000 units to 810.
Mr. Hollo That is correct.
CONTINUTED ON NEXT PAGE
-71- Morab 27 1972 ;tit #3
Apv6rPn Wright t prod the following rtaolu O!'1, a0 moved
its adoption:
RES_bLtf"1' i t _.i 8 ..,,.i tt o.
RESOLUTSON RECOMMENE►rNO "CONDITIONAL USE"
AS LISTED IN ORDINANCE NO. 8871, ARTICLE
XV, SECTION 2 (8) (d) r TO PERMIT CONSTRUC-
TION.OP 810 UNIT APARTMENT DUILDINO ON
TENTATIVE PLAT 017 _ "PLAZA VENETIA",
TRACT '! E" , LOCATED AT THE AREA BOUNDED ON
TMS NORTH BY THE WO N' S CLtUE, ON THE WEST
BY Nr E. BAYSHORX DRIVE, ON THE SOUTH BY
N. E. 1GTR STREET, AND ON THE EAST BY
BISCAYNE BAY, ALL KNOWN AS TRACT "E" OP
PLAZA VENETIA" , SITE ZONED Ccl (LOCAL
COMMERCIAL), PROPOSED TO BE REZONED C`3
(CENTRAL COMMERCIAL).
Upon being seconded by Mr. Kalil, this resolution was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Messrs. Alfonso, Burns, Kalil, Martinez, Wright.
MAYES: Messrs. Dean, and Silverman.
Mines. Callahan and McGraner.
Mr. Simpson: Motion carries, five to four.
The portion on the variances, 3 (e), has been withdrawn
by the applicant before the Public Hearing.
Mr. lol to : Thank you very much.
its MAMMON:
Planning. Beard Meeting dates.
Mr. .meson: On item fit, t sup= ied each of the board
Members with one tentative dates, - tried to bypass any conflict-
ing dates that _ know of.
I jumped froi. he Mee ng of the 2Oth, over to April.leth.
We can take advantage b ,.. that has five Mondays, but one of
which is, being a hblida
There is no ins firm abet this. 1 marked March 27th, br
April 3rd, down as a possible speal meetingo which I.wiil dis-
cuss with yo •n the next Item. No, a don't need a motion'Of this.
This is fo your information. If you, '• reviewing tali - if you
see any,=•nflicting dates, let me know.
M. Martinez: Are we going to need a sp- ial Meeting?
Mr, Simpson: 1 don't know.
Martinez: The next Item will tell?
next item.
12. DISCUSSION:
"PLAZA VENETIA" (Jordan Marsh Area).
Mr. Simpson. Actually, I have very little to report to the
Board on the next item. I thought I would have some additional
information prior to closing time, tonight.
Last week, members of the Staff, of the Building Department,
Planning Department, and Our Office, met with the owner, architects,
and several other representatives out of Atlanta, to go over their
preliminary plan. This is pursuant to the City Commission resolutions,
to act as soon as possible, and, also, resolutions of this Board.
We took the C-3 zoning ordinance, piece by piece, the architect
made calculations, and the Floor Area ttatio, under the bonuses in, the
C-3 district were calculated, and everyone left the meetingwith a
general idea of what applications would be forthcoming for public
hearing. But both, we of the, Staff, and the architect felt that it
was necessary to, for additional work on their ,part, .based upon all
of the information from the surveyor, so far as square footage, exact.
square footage, to check his figures, to make sure thatwhatever we
wrote up, in the form of applications, was based upon exact informa-
tion.
okay
let's
go
to
the
We left that Meeting, and with the ideathat they were going to
try to supply us a confirmation to us, - either last Friday afternoon,
or, at latest, today:
The tentative plat did reach the City Offices late this after-
noon. We had a call from Atlanta, and he was making sure that we have
not processed any application until such time as they have had a chance
to review the plat. I am assuming that one has been forwarded. With
the owners and the people who are supplying this information, working
on this project', we reviewed the possible sc1A'duling of meetings. And
I gave them the earliest possible date, of March 27th, at a Special
gli Meeting, providing they had all of their paperwork back to us, Now,.
this isn't just confirming, we haven't written, up the first application,
yet, providing that they, have all of their paperwor% properly executed,
back to us by no later than March 1.3th, which is next Monday. I need this.
for advertising.
I also stated to them, that the next possible hearing, as .a
Spacial, would depend upon the rescheduling of meetings in April,
f gave them :either the 3rd, on a short agenda, or the .loth.
That paperwork for the 3rd would have to be in my office no later than
March 20th
-45- Ma oh 61 1972
Item 411
Item 412
They have all of these deadlines, they were given All of these
deadlines at the meeting in our offiee. And like i say, we're waiting
to write up the applications When we get confirmation from the archi-
teat
The Meeting was left Wednesday. 1 think it wad lant Wednesday.
Mr. Martinet: You don't need any motion for this/
Mn. gitnpdan: Not none whatsoever. But because of the
direction of the City Commiationt and Chid hoard, 1 felt at though
periodically 1 should keep you informed.
Mr. Martinet: Any questions' t am taking the motion to
adjourn
AD3OU1 NMEN :
THERE EEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT
10:0S P.M.
DAVID SIMPSON, JR.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Transcribed and typed by:
Febagene Riley Dickerson
Steno, Planning Board
CHAIRMAN
- 46- March 6,, 1972.Item #12,
6 rime
•
Board;
OndtiggeNt
Fteso1ut3ons No. 41241, No. 41242, And No. 41241 * fte: City
Commission action on ptA2A VENETIA (JOrdan Marsh Arent)
Mr. Simpson: tech of the board Members, probably over the,
weekend, or this morning, received copies of resolutions that were
passed by the Gity Commission at their meeting of February 17th.
This is in reference to the Jordan Marsh Area, the presentation of
Mt. Ted Hallo, for the quite extensive c.evelep tent up in that area.
When they made their presentation tc the City Committicinf the
City Commission directed the Planning Department and the Legal Depart-
ment, to review the provisions of the Zoning ordinance, and also pre-
pare whatever resolutions were needed to get this proposal into public
hearing.
The City Attorney reported to the City Commission, at its
meeting on Pebruary 17th, and the City Commission passed three
resolutions.
Resolution No.-43241: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PLANNING
AND ZONING BOARD AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT. TO MAKE A REVIEW
OP THE DENTRAL COMMERCIAL C-3 DISTRICT USE REGULATIONS; TO
ELIMINATE PROM ARTICLE XV, SECTION 2 (8) (d) L THROUGH '7
AND TO PLACE SAID SUBSECTIONS IN A SEPARATE CATEGORY.
This is the part of the Use Regulations in the C-3 District,
that I indicated when the presentation was made, that prohibited me
from accepting their, application. In the C-3 District, when apart-
ments are involved, the Use Regulations spells out the. density and
the, setback requirements. They exceeded these Use Regulations, and
I indicated that I could not accept their application.
The City Attorney proposed this for the Board and the Depart-
ment to consider modifying that portion of the C-3 District.
The second resolution that was presented by the City Attorney
was:
Resolution No. 43242: A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PLANNING
AND ZONING BOARD AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO COMMENCE A STUDY.
AND PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT WOULD ENCOMPASS A PLANNED.:
UNIT DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT THAT WOULD EMBRACE BOTH RESIDENTIAL
AND COMMERCIAL USAGE OF LAND SUBJECT TO CONSTRUCTION PURSUANT
TO PLANS SUBMITTEDBYTHE APPLICANT. AND APPROVED BY THE PLAN-
NING AND ZONING BOARD AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY
COMMISSION.
The Planning Department, in conjunction with some
proposals, have already indicated to the City Commission
are studying this, and probably will come forward in the
some type of regulations to cover, or control, this type
meet,
Mr. Whipple may want to report to the
study will reach.
The third resolution presented is one that will affect this
Resolution No. 43243.; 1 RESOLUTION REFERRING TO THE PLANNING
AND ZONING BOARD AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT THE RECOMMENDATION
OF THE COMMISSION THAT THEY HOLD IMMEDIATE HEARING$ PERTAIN-
ING TO THE PROPOSED PLAN of DEVELOPMENT REFERRED' TO AS
"PLAZA VENETIA" SUDJECT TO CERTAIN' RECOMMENDATIONS.
In presenting this resolution to the City Commission, the
question referred to in the first resolution, and to -wit, the
regulations and the use section of the ordinance, the City AttQTney.
was of the opinion that this w,4 a boriorline situation, That in no
other use regulations in the makeup of our zoning ordinance, were
setbacks spelled out under ecti.Qn 1, or the UPC regulations.
-52- February 2a., 1972 Item *16
recent
that they
future with
of develop -
Board to what extent their
Ha, therefore, indicated to the CoMniisSidnt that thia'wet
an area of question, and that he proposed thit reaoiutior►, to gat
tha public hearing before thin board and the City Committions
At the time, l aaked the City Attorney, in public hearing,
whether thin resolution directed me to accept their application
prior to the modification of the ordinance at proposed in the first
i�
resolution, and his answer was, Yes .
bo, I am prepared, .under thin reeoiutiort, to adoept Diana
Venetia a iplitat,ion when it cotes into my Office. Ptit, since
February ,17th, 1972 City Commission Meeting, t have had no contact
by either the attorney, the owner, or the architects for this
project,,
1 feel 1 should report to this Board oh this matter, because
it will be coming before you. There are certain things that are
directed by these resolutions that involve both the Planning Depart-
ment and this 'Board. In view of the wording of the resolutions,
I directed copies of the resolution, along with the memorandum,
requesting the Planning Department to conform to the request of
the City Commission, and report to this Board, as soon as that
information is available.
Mr. Kalil: It seems that we are going to create a completely
different type of zoning, of which,. I think about in the fifties, our
Planning Staff and our City Commission, had wiped out. Because in,
our central district downtown,, in our black areas, they allowed them
to build stores, and apartments up above them. And this is what
you're actually doing again, opening the door for them to build this.
big complex, with the shopping center on the ground floor, and apart-
ments above it. Now, this is what I was referring to, this is pur-
portedly to be about an eighty million dollar venture. Would another
person coming along, with a million dollars, or half a million, dollars,
how could we reject them if they were two blocks away from this area,
and asked for the same type of variance?
Mr. Simpson: I might say, Mr. Chairman, and Members of the
Board, that the area we are talking about is under study right. now.
The City of Miami, in conjunction with the Downtown Development
Authority, have funds available for consulting, for the Downtown
District, and that boundary goes up to 17th.
Mr. Kalil: Well, we have as you know, recently, rezoned and
put - voted for rezoning, Biscayne Boulevard, down to the classifi-
cation of C-2,"penalizing every businessman on Biscayne Boulevard,
and every property owner, all ofthe way up to 17th.
Now, we're making exclusions, which we made for the Miami'
Herald,we made exclusions for Sears,_ we make it for Jordan Marsh,
and for Jefferson's. But the rest of the property owners, is what
I am discussing, that we have penalized them in improving their
property, to reach the highest value for what their land is worth.
Mr. Silverman: Mr. Chairman, may I suggest that rather than
go into an extended discussion of an application that has not been.
filed, or been presented to this Board, may I; suggest that we not
take any further action, or discussion on this item, at this time.
When the application is filed, that weinstruct the Executive .Secre-
tary to calla Special Meeting, just for this application, as it has
tremendous effect upon the entire. City,
But, since nothing has been filed at this time, I see no
benefit in arguing the merits of an application I've never even
seen, and that will probably be changed before it is presented to
this board
Mr, Kalil.; I would liXe to second that.
Mr. turns Mrs $ilverfl 4, you' comments are well taken au to
that resolution dealing with a specific project, However,.Resoltuion
No. 43241' "does not ,address itself to any particular application.
-53- February 2L 1:972 Item #16
Further, I'd like to point obit the language of that resolution,
that Section l says:: "That the planning and 'Zoning board" - and then,
peneilied in, And the Planning Department, immediately commence a
study", So, it doesn't seem to be asking us to await the pleasure
of a Downtown Development District, nor, does it seem to be asking
us to await until any particular,appiieatien has been filed
This resolution, after rather lengthy Commission hearing and
quite a bit of consideration, has asked the Planning Board, and has
asked the Planning Department, to immediately commence a 'study, to
seewhether or rift it would be advisable if certain sections should
be removed.
I:think possibly it would be more responsive of the Board, if
we do want to respond back to what the Commission, b resolution,
has requested, if we appoint a subcommittee, an executive committee,,
of this Board, to take the time and troble to comply
hwith
ththe and
Commission's wishes, and to studythis problem,
cooperation With, the Staff, and we report back to.this :Board at the
next meeting, as to whether or not this would be advisable.
As you point out, we will have something specific before us,
to either approve or deal with otherwise. And, I so move.
Mr. Silverman: Mr. Chairman. Speaking to the motion, I
believe the motion is to appoint an executive committee. This
Board hasnever, as I know, acted in that fashion. We have a
professionalstaff who are full time, paid employees, of the City
of Miami. We are a policy making Board, and I believe it would not
be the proper procedure for this Board to splinter into a committee
to study this proposal. I believe the professional staff, who are
well qualified in their occupation, should make a study and report
back to this Board as a whole. And, this Board will then take what-
ever action this Board determines is proper in it.
Mr. Burns: Mr. Silverman, the authority setting up this Board
specifically provides for two subcommittees. A subcommittee upon.
which some of us serve and work affably, not only on Monday nights,
is the Plat and Street Committee.
The other subcommittee specifically spelled out and contem-
plated, is a committee called the "Executive Committee". Its;
function would be no different than that. of the Plat and. Street
Committee, to work with a group on whatever assignments it might
receive.
I.am just suggesting, since the Commission has asked immedi-
ately, you might constitute ourselves as a. committee. It is, more.
workable if you don't have nine memberssitting down as a committee
as a whole, to report back to: this Board on something concrete.
Because, what the Commission has done, is ask us'to;study it. The
resolution was not directed exclusively to the Planning Department,
but to us, as well as them. I think we both have an obligation and
a'burden to carry forward.
It's just a suggestion, Mr. Silverman. It might not be one you
want to comply with, but it's certainly one fully within the letter,
and the spirit of the establishing authority.
What Mr: Burns just said, I was going to second the
put into a motion. What Mr. Silverman said, as
and waiting until the application was put before
Mr. Kalil;
motion, if it was
far as the study,
this Board.
Now,, 1 am not one to keep throwing : . wet blanket, but I have
made the statement before, that this project might not go through,
If, what Mr. Burns is coming up with, that we should make a study
from a Board, among ourselves, to work with our Planning Staff, and
we still don't know whether we are working on something that's going,
to be real,
Rev. Wright: Mr. Silverman, what is wrong with what Mr, Burns
-54- February 28, 1972 Item 018
1
•
•
just said/ This id a Planning and honing Board, and moat our
functioning here has been in 'the area of toning.
Mrs. Mermen t have served aft the ftecutive dommittee Since
t,ve been on this Board, and theeduties, as tar as t can see, was
Working in cooperation with the planning hoard, just as Mr. Silverman
and Mr. Xaltl have stated. And the Plat Committee, they work in
cooperation with the hoard, and Mf4 Simpson is the Secretary.
tiro Silverman: ttried to avoid an emtended discussion, in
the beginning. And 1 just say this, tht t believe if the hoard feels
that ut should proceed with the Study., of whether or not the use
requirements should be changed, that it be done irk the, same fashion
that every other planning item has been done. And, than is, the
Planning Staff, the professional full-time competent :.toff, make a
study and report back to this board for a discussion, and approval
or change, and so on.
I believe tha'that we have, used in. the past,
o s thee proopereIdo riot believe that it is in
p
and t believe that Would
the good interests of this board to splinter into a subcommittee of
three or so people to discuss this item. That's my personal feeling.
Mr. Dean: Mr. Chairman, Mr. tnrhipple is standing up, there.
Mr. Whipple, have you all done anything? Have you all received this
a copy of this resolution? Have you proceeded in any direction as
yet?
Mr. Whipple: I will have to ask a little direction from the
Chairman, .I was going to make one comment with respect to a motion,
I don't know whether that's in order, and then, I can answer your
question, also, if the Board wishes.
Rev. Wright: Okay, Mr. Whipple, come right ahead.
Mr. Whipple: Mr. Burns suggested that we have something
available to discuss with this Board on March 6th, at the next
meeting. I respectfully suggest that this is not within our capa-
bilities of the staff to do this.
Continuing on, with answer to Mr. Dean's question. Yes, we have
read the resolutions, Mr. Simpson forwarded them to us, plus, we were
familiar with them from the Commission level.
We understand the direction of the City Commission, and we
have already started work, by which to consider the planned develop-
ment concept type ordinance, to be brought before this Board and the
City. Commission. But you must understand, that, and in doing some-
thing of this magnitude and scale, we had a framework established
with this planned development concept, which is a little bit beyond.
what we were working on currently.
It is
anticipated,
to have some
20th
going to take us a little more time, than we had
In discussing it with Mr. Acton today, we had hoped
type of proposal in a written form to this Board by the
Now, I don't mean by pointing this out to you, that this
precludes any involvement, or any participation by this Board. I am
sure that Mr. Acton, and myself, welcome participation, but a
participation which is something other than producing a document by
which to evaluate at the next meeting,
We can sit down March 6th, and can g1ye you the mixture, or
consortium of research that we are compiling at the present time,
We just received remarks back today, for instance, from the American
Society of Planning Officials. We have assembled various planned
development type districts, of various ordinances throughout the
country, We are going through these studying them, reading, them,
Looking at their applicability to Miami, and tryingto jell, in some
of the basic thinking, es to what should go into this type of ordinance,
for the best growth of Miami.
-55- February 28# 1972 Item #16
Now, March 6th, we will not have a document ; it writing by
which We can discuss with you, if you want to hear our comments,
thoughts, and, ideas, and tux exploration that we've had to date at
that time, an. We,re vote than willing to do this. tut, as far.
as a written final document, we're talking a little more than ,March 6th•,
as was intimated by the motion at Mr, turns
Mr, Burns: I'd like to understand from Mr. Whipple. t think
it was a good response. When is he saying that he would have his
Ali recommendations available, for the Board?
Mr. Whipple: ty the 20th, is our Mwe are
plans at this point. trying to compress our existing work activities with the need which we.
are going to do. The earliest we can see having a written document
in .front of you is the 20th.
Mr. Burns: i think that's terrific, if we can, have a. written
report by the 20th. And if there's something to report by the 6th, I
think that would be well to keep us. advised. I think the other part
of any comments, that Mrs. MhGraner and others have pointed out that
there have been executive committee of this Board for some time.
We discussed it one time setting up an exeCutiV'e cotntnittee, and
Idon't see how some of these commentswould relate back to that.
The resolution seems still to be a tandem resolutions not_a
resolution directed strictly to planning.
I will withdraw the motion.
Mr. Whipple: Any timebetween now and the 20th, we'd be glad
to give you our current thinking, and thoughts, and what we're looking
at and trying to review, and get some determination, to arrive at our
final decision. We welcome the input of the Board, because we are
looking at some of the technical aspects, other ordinances, the"legali-
ties, things of this nature, which perhaps, will assist the Board in
I their final decision. There are legal problems with districts of this
type. They go under various names, we call them floating districts,
we have law review, we have legal opinions, as to the status of the
planned unit development.. As a matter of: fact, if you, the Members
of the Board, that were. here .for Professor Bartley's dissertation,
he cautioned the Members of the Board and Commission that were here
for this study group, that any planned unit development effort, should
be most properly established with the necessary guidelines that we
need to arrive at, and determine, is the tough part of it.
Rev. Wright: He also said, that the Board should participate.
Mr. Whipple: Yes, sir. I didn't mean to intimate at all that
the Board should not.
•
Mr. Burns: Would you need the final wording of the proposed
modification before you could properly advertise it?
Mr. Simpson; Yes, sir.
commission Mr. "Silverman; The reason � Lion on this project.- This has directed
I feel the Comm
us to take the earliest possible"project,
as I understand it, from the newspaper reports, is a huge, expensive,
and a project that is going to affect the entire City forever,, and I.
don't believe it would be fair to other applicants to have them
sit here all p
night
while thin application plication is discussed. ` In order to
give them the earliest possible time, 1`think a special: meeting just
on this application should be scheduled.
Mr, Dean; And, what are your suggestions to meet this schedule?
Mr, Silverman. Well, we cannot schedule A neeting until the
application is filed, and as I understand it, the application has not
been filed, 'This motion would direct the Executive :Secretary to
schedule the meeting as soon as the application is filed. I . they
file it next week., then you would schedule it accordingly.. if they
-56- February 28, i972 Item #16
don't file fora month, he would schedule it accordingly, It depends
ion them, on the applicant to file his application, not on uss He
can't schedule "a nesting, he can't advertise the meeting, until the
application Ls aotuaily flleds But, the Commission has directed
us to hear this as soon as possible, and that's all we're doing,
is instructing the Executive secretary to schedule the meeting as
soon as possible, in accordance with the Commission's instruct.one.
Mr. Burns: Mr. Silverman, is your motion, as I understand it,
:for the report on the 20th, to include the report baek on both reso-
lutions, 43242, and 43241
Mr. Silverman: No. My motion requested the Planning Staff
to report back as soon as possible. Idbn't knew how soon they. can
have whatever they plan to have in writing. The Commission has
instructed the Planning Staff to report on this as soon as possible.
A1l rny, motion does is exactly what the .Commission has done, and ask
the Planning Staff to expedite this matter and report back as quickly
as possible.
Mr. Silverman offered the following resolution, and moved
its adoption
RESOLUTION NO. 72-53,
RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
TO PROCEED WITH A STUDY REGARDING. THE USE
REGULATIONS IN THE C-3 DISTRICT (CENTRAL
COMMERCIAL), PARTICULARLY AS TO ELIMINATING
FROM ARTICLE XV, SECTION 2 (8) (d) 1 THROUGH 7,
AND PLACING SAID SUBSECTIONS IN A SEPARATE
CATEGORY, REPORTING THE STUDY TO THE BOARD AS
SOON` AS POSSIBLE.
FURTHER,, REQUESTING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO
PROCEED WITH A STUDY REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A "PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT", REPORTING
THE STUDY TO THE BOARD AS SOON: AS POSSIBLE.
FURTHER DIRECTING THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO, SET
A SPECIAL' MEETING_ OF THE PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT
A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE PLAZA VENETIA PETITIONS
WHEN, THE PETITIONS ARE RECEIVED AND. PROCESSED.
ALL AS DIRECTED BY COMMISSION RESOLUTIONS NO.
NO. 43242, AND NO. 43243.
Uponbeing seconded by Mrs. McGraner, this resolution' was
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Messrs. Alfonso, Burns, Dean, Kalil, Martinez,
Silverman, Wright:
Mmes. Callahan and McGraner.
NAYES; None.
IMP
ADJOURNMENT:
TMERE.BEING NO FURTHER:BUSINESS,'THE MEETING ADJQUR.NED
AT 1O►45. P'.M.
DAV.ID SI 'S N. 4R,
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Transcribed and typed by;
Mavens Riley Dickerson
Steno, Planning .Board
CNWXRM-AN -